Victim Advocacy partners with youth center for Teen Dating Violence Awareness, Prevention month

Story and photos by Bryan Gatchell, USAG Ansbach Public Affairs

ANSBACH, Germany (Feb. 13, 2017) – The Family Advocacy Program partnered with the Youth Center at U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach Friday for a cake cutting and walk to commemorate February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

USAG Ansach commander Col. Benjamin C. Jones and USAG Ansbach Command Sgt. Maj. Derek R. Cuvellier showed their support for the event with the cake cutting and a reading of the proclamation. Following the cake cutting, the teens walked from the Youth Center to the Katterbach Fitness Center.

The proclamation, which Jones and Cuvellier signed, reads as follows:


PROCLAMATION

February 2017

NATIONAL TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH

WHEREAS, the youth of USAG Ansbach are our most precious resource and greatest hope for the future, and ensuring their safety, well-being, positive development and growth into healthy citizens is a priority and responsibility we all share; and

WHEREAS, the transitional adolescent years present new challenges and personal choices for teens as they experience dating relationships for the first time, and unfortunately, associated pressures and expectations that can lead to controlling, coercive and violent behavior; and

WHEREAS, nearly half of teens who experience dating violence report that incidents of abuse took place in a school building or on school grounds; and

WHEREAS, only 33 percent of teens who are in an abusive relationship ever tell anyone about the abuse, and 81 percent of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they do not know if it is one; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to raise community awareness and to provide training for teachers, counselors and school staff so that they may recognize when youths are exhibiting signs of dating violence; and

WHEREAS, Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month provides an excellent opportunity for the USAG Ansbach community to learn more about prevention of teen dating abuse to show support for the organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy and services and assistance to victims;

Now therefore, I hereby designate February as

“Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month”


Victim Advocacy can be reached by telephone at 09802-83-3660 or DSN 467-3660. Their helpline is 0162-2710334.

To learn more about available services, call the USAG Ansbach Family Advocacy Program at 09802-83-7777 or DSN 467-7777.

For prevention and education, call Army Community Service’s Family Advocacy Program at 09802-83-2883 or DSN 467-2883.

Furthermore, Military Family Life Consultants can also provide assistance. To contact them, visit www.ansbach.army.mil/DirectoryM.html#MFLC.

(Visited 308 times, 1 visits today)

Comments are closed.