LHAS Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Campaign

Friday, February 10, 2012 LHAS Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Campaign Kickoff with Pittsburgh CAPA!

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. According to the Center for Disease Control, one out of four teens will experience dating abuse within the next year. Ladies Hospital Aid Society (LHAS) is announcing the launch of its new program on Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention. This pilot program addresses the urgent need to raise awareness of the prevalence of teen dating violence, to educate teens regarding the warning signs of violent dating behavior, and to provide teens with several resources they can contact if they have questions or need help. LHAS is pleased to have Pittsburgh CAPA School, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, and the law firm of Metz Lewis partner with them to raise awareness on this critical topic.

On Friday, February 10, 2012 at 2 pm, Pittsburgh CAPA will be hosting a short program and photo/video opportunity on their campus at 111 Ninth Street, Pittsburgh. LHAS will distribute t-shirts printed with “xoshove≠truelove” logos along with contact information for resources to help anyone who feels they may be in an unsafe dating situation. In addition, each t-shirt distributed to a student will have a hangtag outlining the warning signs of abuse. Shirts will be distributed to approximately 300 CAPA students. David Knapp, Instrumental Department Chair promises that the participating students will create a “groove” for the event.

LHAS plans to expand the program to provide additional awareness initiatives targeted to area teens, parents, educators and others in Western Pennsylvania.

LHAS has a long history working to stop domestic violence. In 1990 LHAS provided the seed money to start the Domestic Violence Program that was developed with Jewish Family and Children’s Service. LHAS has given over $100,000 toward efforts to raise awareness, educate and provide assistance to abuse victims.

The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office is headed by Stephen A. Zappala and offers resources to stop domestic violence and provide assistance for those suffering from its result. More information on the office and its domestic violence prevention program can be found at www.da.allegheny.pa.us/.

Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 I is a Creative & Performing Arts magnet school and part of the Pittsburgh Public Schools system. CAPA offers a comprehensive academic curriculum and intensive pre-professional training in the arts. For more information, please visit www.pps.k12.pa.us/capa/.

The law firm of Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe has offices in Pittsburgh and New York City. The firm offers expertise in fields as diverse as banking and tax work, biology and technology, English and journalism. For more information, please visit www.metzlewis.com.

The following information was taken from the www.loveisrespect.org website.

Why do we spend a whole month talking about teen dating abuse?

According to the CDC, one in four teens will experience dating abuse during this coming year.

Fifty-two percent of college women know someone who has been the victim of dating abuse (including physical, sexual, verbal, controlling and even digital abuse) according to the Liz Claiborne Inc. 2011 College Dating Violence and Abuse Poll.

If we know the signs of dating abuse, then we can recognize it when we, or a friend or family member, experiences it. If we feel comfortable talking about healthy relationships, then we will be empowered to be respectful partners and speak out when things aren’t right. If we know what resources are available, then we can guide a friend or even ourselves to help if and when we need it.

Education, awareness and intervention are key to stopping dating abuse. February is a chance to increase all three

Is This Abuse?

Dating abuse is a pattern of destructive behaviors used to exert power and control over a dating partner. While we define dating violence as a pattern, that doesn't mean the first instance of abuse is not dating violence. It just recognizes that dating violence usually involves a series of abusive behaviors over a course of time.

Warning Signs of Abuse

Because relationships exist on a spectrum, it can be hard to tell when a behavior crosses the line from healthy to unhealthy or even abusive. Use these warning signs of abuse to see if your relationship is going in the wrong direction:

• Checking your cell phone or email without permission
• Constantly putting you down
• Extreme jealousy or insecurity
• Explosive temper
• Isolating you from family or friends
• Making false accusations
• Mood swings
• Physically hurting you in any way
• Possessiveness
• Telling you what to do

Learn more about how unhealthy relationships work by visiting www.loveisrespect.org.

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