February Has Been Declared “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”
The month of February has been declared “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”. Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County (DVS) and Community Partners are proud to present the “WHAT is LOVE” series of events and activities designed to increase awareness of Teen Dating Violence and to educate the community’s teens about healthy relationships. Teen dating violence is an urgent, silent epidemic in Santa Barbara County. One in three teens report experiencing abuse in a dating relationship, and most teens will never report the abuse to anyone. Dating violence is not just dangerous and sometimes lethal, teens that experience abuse in a relationship exhibit higher rates of violence, school dropout rates, drug abuse, high‐risk sexual behavior and suicide. The WHAT is LOVE series of events in February help teens: 1. Define the physical, emotional, and sexual forms of abuse, 2. Explain the importance of asking for help, 3. Provide community resources, and 4. Encourage teens to advocate for a safe school and community environment where teens can report abuse. Thursday, February 24 th : Join Mayor Helene Schneider in honoring the top posted design contest winners at Santa Barbara Central Library (Faulkner Gallery) at 40 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be cash prized, community service hours, sign up for library card, food, music, and giveaways. Premier WHAT is LOVE PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. Friday, February 25 th : Attend TEEN MOVIE NIGHT, “Reviving Ophelia” at Vanderberg Air Force Base in the Youth Center and Police Activities League TWELVE35 Teen Center at 4:30 p.m. for Speak Out and a 5:30 p.m. movie.
Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara is the county’s only full‐service domestic violence agency. DVS is committed to ending the intergenerational cycle of domestic violence through prevention and intervention services, and through challenging society’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to affect social change. DVS provides the county’s only 24‐hour shelter services for battered women and their children, as well as the county’s only transitional housing programs for domestic violence survivors. DVS also operates four 24‐hour hotlines, accompanies police on domestic violence calls, works to prevent domestic violence through teen outreach and education programs, and provides comprehensive counseling services to men, women, and children affected by domestic violence. DVS programs serve Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Santa Maria.
Community Partners and Sponsors:
Santa Barbara Central Library Contact: Oscar Flores at OFlores@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Vanderberg Air Force Base Contact: Pauline Chui at Pauline.Chui@vanderberg.af.mil
Police Activities League Contact: Elvia Hernandez at ehernandez@sbpd.com
Visit www.dvsolutions.org for more information or please contact Christy Haynes at Domestic Violence Solutions at (805) 564‐4488
