By Richard Kaufman
For the entire month of February, the YWCA of Greenwich has highlighted teen dating violence and awareness, and promoting overall healthy relationships.
According to the YWCA, one in three teens nationwide reports being physically, sexually or emotionally hurt by their dating partner. According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health and a 2011 School Health Survey Youth Risk Behavior Report, 17 percent of Connecticut high school students report being emotionally abused by a dating partner, and eight percent report being physically abused by a dating partner.
According to the Center for Disease Control, early exposure to abusive or violent relationships increases the likelihood of those types of relationships being repeated later in life.
Therefore, early prevention in teaching youths what a healthy relationship (intimate or not) looks like is key in the development of teens. According to YWCA of Greenwich Director of Abuse Services, Meredith Gold, young people between the ages of 16-24 have the highest risk of being abused by an intimate partner.
“We hear about domestic violence and family violence and we don’t always make that connection that our young people are also experiencing similar kinds of abuses,” Gold said. “Teen dating violence awareness and prevention month is a great initiative to raise awareness about this issue and to get the conversations going.”
The month also helps adults, whether they’re parents, educators or coaches, develop the tools necessary to engage and initiate conversations with teens about their relationships.
Gold said although early prevention and engagement is crucial, it’s also very difficult. Gold noted adolescent development usually comes at a time when teenagers turn away from the adults in their lives, and focus more on their peers.
“So parents may not even be aware that their child is involved with someone, let alone experiencing abuse. We can’t wait and rely on our teens to come to us when they’re in trouble, and we shouldn’t wait until we suspect that they are in trouble to start a conversation,” Gold said.
YNet, a teen dating violence and awareness club at Greenwich High School which aims to train and educate teens to support peers in troubled relationships, has held events and initiatives this month as well.
The month will culminate with an event at the YWCA of Greenwich on Feb. 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Looking In Theatre group, which is made up of teen actors based in Hartford, will perform a series of short, dramatic scenes that explore healthy and unhealthy relationships. Topics will include acting out what a healthy relationship looks like, which Gold said requires open and honest communication, and a respect for each other’s boundaries.
The actors will also demonstrate what an unhealthy relationship looks like, which could be a boy or girl exerting control over another, inappropriate use of technology, putting their partner down and making them inadequate, or isolating someone from their friends.
Each scene will be followed by a discussion. The actors will remain in character while answering questions from the audience.
According to a press release from the YWCA of Greenwich, the director of the program, Jonathan Gillman, feels the interactive-style of the performance sends a message.
“Using art to talk about uncomfortable topics helps teens open up,” Gillman said. “They see themselves in the actors and often realize that they’re in the same situations.”
The program, Gold said, will be cabaret-style. There’s no entry fee, and pizza and refreshments will be served.
“This is a unique opportunity to have a public conversation that feels safe,” Gold said. “We’re really hoping to have a strong presence of young people from our community; high school and up. It’s also appropriate for parents, and teachers, service providers… Anyone who cares about teams, I think it’ll be really insightful.”
For more information or to reserve your spot for the event, go to www.ywcagreenwich.org/lookingintheatre
Although February is a designated month focused on teen dating violence and awareness, the topic needs to be broached year-round. The YWCA of Greenwich is involved with Greenwich Public Schools throughout the entire year. They speak with every sixth and eighth grade class about healthy relationships.
The YWCA of Greenwich is the only state designated provider of abuse services in town. If you or someone you know needs assistance or guidance through domestic abuse services, call the YWCA of Greenwich hotline at 203-622-0003. You can also find more information at ywcagreenwich.org
