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Safety Alert: Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. Your abuser may still be able to see what Web sites you have visited and e-mails you have sent even if you delete your browser history and files. If you are afraid your computer usage might be monitored, please use a safer computer to view this Web site. If you need to quickly leave this Web site, click the "Escape" button at any time and you will be redirected to Google.com. Please note this site is not monitored for requests for help. If you need assistance, you must call the 24-hour hotline. |
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Media Advisory: Teen dating violence and the economy
June 25, 2009 Hope Alliance comments on recent study showing that financial stress at home may be leading to an increase in teen dating violence and family violence A study released earlier this month by the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) and Liz Claiborne Inc. suggests that financial stress from the economic recession may be contributing to increases in the level of violence and abuse in teen dating relationships. Hope Alliance, the Round Rock-based organization working to end domestic and sexual violence in the community, reports that increases in the demand for its services echo the report’s warning about the need for domestic violence education and prevention services with families and teens. The FVPF survey spoke with 1,233 teens and 500 parents and found that nearly half of teens whose families have experienced economic problems in the past year had witnessed their parents abusing each other. Additionally, 67 percent of these same teens experienced some form of violence or abuse in their own dating relationships. Teens who witness domestic violence between their parents reported a 50 percent higher rate of dating abuse compared to their peers who had not witness violence in the home. “Unfortunately, the study results are not surprising,” says Patty Conner, Hope Alliance CEO. “All too often, teens are afraid to confide to their parents about the abuse they are experiencing in their relationships—even in the most loving and connected families. This is why Hope Alliance is committed to providing education and prevention services specifically designed for teens and parents. A challenge we are facing right now, however, is that while the number of teens who come to us for help is on the rise, the recession has put education and prevention services in jeopardy of staff and budget cuts. We need the community to rally around these devastating statistics to ensure that we are able to continue to meaningfully invest in the future of our children.” Hope Alliance believes that the community benefits most when parents, schools, law enforcement, faith-based organizations and social service agencies join together and take responsibility for protecting our youth from violence and abuse. The agency offers in-school education and counseling services and finds that when it presents to students about healthy relationships and working through conflict, there are often students who make an outcry for help with dating violence. Its education-counseling team approach ensures that these teens are able to receive access to counseling services through Hope Alliance because school resources are often limited and primarily focused on academic needs. In a local survey of 129 middle school students within Williamson County, more than a third reported that they saw teen dating violence within their school or peer groups. Additionally, more than 20 percent reported that no one had ever talked to them about teen dating violence. “We need the entire community to get involved with communicating to teens what healthy relationships look like,” says Britt Cox, domestic violence prevention specialist for Hope Alliance. “Through a concerted effort, we can help them to internalize the difference between love and abuse and how to handle conflicts in positive ways. What we don’t want is for teens to rationalize jealousy, possessiveness, control and isolation as signs of love and devotion.” “We want parents and educators to know we’re here as a resource,” adds Naomi Adams, primary prevention specialist. “Raising and educating children in today’s society is extremely challenging. They are bombarded with negative and confusing messages about what relationships look like, and when you add in financial stress and conflict at home, it’s inevitable that negative behaviors will be repeated in their own relationships. If there was just one message I would want to communicate to parents, it would be ‘Don’t be afraid to reach out for help.’ These are tough times, but Hope Alliance and other organizations have resources for teens and parents alike that can help.” Hope Alliance offers free materials and resources on teen dating violence and family violence. To request a free brochure or learn more about how you can support Hope Alliance’s work, please call 512-255-1212 or visit http://www.hopealliancetx.org. Patty Conner, CEO; Naomi Adams, Primary Prevention Specialist; and Britt Cox, Domestic Violence Prevention Specialist, are available for interview. B-roll for news packages can be arranged upon request. To arrange interviews or request additional information for media purposes, please contact Patty Conner at 512-255-1212. |
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