Love Shouldn't Hurt - A Teen Dating Violence Awareness Workshop

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Dating abuse is a big problem, affecting teens in every community across the United States. Eastpointe, Roseville, Warren, and St. Clair Shores are no exceptions. 1.5 million high school students nationwide experienced physical abuse from a dating partner last year. Many more dealt with emotional and sexual abuse. In fact, fully one in three teens is a victim of abuse by their boyfriends or girlfriends. This year will be just as bad if we don't do something about it. Eastside Teen Outreach is holding a workshop, Thursday, February 16th at 7pm. Please join us to learn what dating abuse is, how to spot an abusive relationship, how to break off that relationship if you're in one, and how to help a teen through a difficult relationship. Special guest speakers will include Eastpointe Mayor Suzanne Pixley, a representative from Turning Point, and Joan Webb, a survivor of dating violence and domestic abuse. We will also have testimonies and poems from our own Eastside Teen Outreach Teens. Turning Point's mission is to provide programs and resources that enable victims/survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and homelessness to regain control of their lives. All of their services are confidential and provided free of charge. Joan Webb's life story of dating violence/domestic abuse happened many decades ago, yet the residual damage from her experience carried forward into her life. Through her healing journey, she has come into a deeper understanding of the core reasons why she became vulnerable to violence and abuse. Joan also discovered the life-changing solutions that helped her exchange painful memories for peace and joy. She brings a personal passion for increasing awareness and prevention of dating violence, while offering hope to those who have been victimized. Teens, be sure to be there. If you're in an abusive relationship, please know it's not your fault. What you will learn this night will help you out of a bad situation. You may not be in an abusive relationship, but you almost certainly know someone who is. This workshop will help you help your friend who is hurting. If you have a friend who is in a relationship, bring them with you. By the way, the program starts at seven, but we're still eating dinner together that night, so be sure to be there at six. :-) Parents, please join us. Less than 20% of parents realize this dating abuse is a problem. Your child or your child's friends may be in an abusive relationship and you may be the only one available to help them. Community Leaders, please join us. We have far too many hurting teens in our neighborhoods. The number one violent crime against teens is not robbery, not gang violence, not bullying. It is dating violence, and domestic violence, if not checked at a young age, only gets worse. This workshop will not only give you valuable information and insight into what is happening with today's teens and how to help them, but your very presence as a community leader will make a huge difference in showing our teens that they matter to you. The information you come away with on this special night may help you save a friend, save your child, or even save yourself. More information at http://www.facebook.com/EastsideTeenOutreach