“In conjunction with the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project, our Youth Outreach Director is available for educational presentations on teen relationship issues in 14 schools throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. Workshops geared towards high school and middle school students are offered on a variety of topics, including jealousy, communication, power and control, sexual harassment, and of course, all types of abuse.  For more information about the SCV Youth Project visit them on https://www.facebook.com/SantaClaritaValleyYouthProject.

We are also working with another group called “We Will Not Be Silenced” through our TEaCH (Teens Educating and Changing Hate) Program.   We Will Not Be Silenced is a photo campaign created by a high school junior to combat the way women are silenced every day. This silence ranges from the idea of looking pretty, but not having valid opinions to the way women tear each other down instead of building each other up thus creating a culture of hate. The goal for this campaign is to end this cycle of oppression by bringing awareness to the fact that the silence is real and hurts everyone.  You can visit their blog http://projectwewillnotbesilenced.blogspot.com/ or find them on social

When it comes to abuse, most people only think of physical abuse, such as hitting, kicking,  punching, pushing, biting, pulling hair or slapping.  Abuse can also be:

  • Verbal, such as name calling, put downs, threats
  • Emotional, such as controlling, manipulating, intimidating
  • Sexual, such as forcing sex or using manipulation, intimidation or threats to coerce someone into sexual behavior.

Key aspects of a healthy relationship are:

  • Respect
  • Trust
  • Support
  • Communication
  • Equality

Teen violence can affect teens of any age, gender, sexual orientation, or socio economic situation.  Studies show that in a conflict with a partner, girls report using physical aggression as much or more than boys.  However, statistically, injury or homicide for those aged 12 and up, females are more likely to be injured or murdered by a current or former intimate partner that males.  Unfortunately, due to the obstacles of leaving an abusive relationship, nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationship continue to date their abuser.

Because adolescents are still developing, and dating is new for them, they do not have the experience or tools necessary to be able to make informed choices.  Being in an abusive relationship at such an impressionable, and vulnerable age, might lead a teen to believe that violence is part of a “normal” relationship.”

For more information on Teen Dating And Domestic Violence please visit http://dvc-scv.com/index.php/teen-violence-prevention/