Teen Dating Violence
Teen dating violence takes many forms, evidenced by insults, humiliation, monitoring the victim's movements, isolation from family and friends, suicide threats, threats to harm family or property, and physical and sexual abuse. One in five high school-aged females report having been physically or sexually assaulted in a dating relationship. Abusers blame their victims for the abuse, using jealousy as an excuse. More than a third of teen batterers report that they used violence to intimidate, frighten or force the other person to give something.
HarborCOV Empowers Teen Leaders
Through HarborCOV's dating violence support groups, workshops at schools, and other youth programs, teens learn about the values that encourage violence and their alternatives, the warning signs of an abusive relationship and how to remove themselves from the cycle of violence. The Youth Program Coordinator and Advocate facilitate ongoing dating violence support groups at Revere and Chelsea high schools.
Peer Leadership Program
In our Peer Leadership Program young people learn the basics about domestic violence and community organizing. They are trained to design and deliver projects that raise consciousness among their peers and within the larger community. They paint community murals, conduct surveys, develop publications, do presentations at their schools, at conferences, and at youth programs throughout the region. As professional paid community organizers these young people develop job and life skills, and work to improve their communities.
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