This February, WJCS youth programs throughout Westchester are observing Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about teen dating violence and promoting healthy relationships, with a particular emphasis on consent this year. Consent is fundamentally an ongoing mutual agreement between partners regarding their experiences. While often associated with physical or sexual activity, it pertains to the decision-making process behind actions, not just the actions themselves.
The WJCS Young People Achieve (YPA) program is educating White Plains High School students about the importance of consent and boundaries with peers and partners. Self-care tips are available to students on the bulletin board outside of the YPA office throughout February.
WJCS Margaret’s Place Peer Leaders created a schoolwide campaign on Teen Dating Violence Awareness to increase awareness about safe and unsafe signs and healthy relationship skills. Activities included sharing a newsletter focused on consent and hosting a photo booth to emphasize the significance of student involvement in the campaign. Our Peer Leaders are preparing workshops and presentations in health classes, providing crucial information about Teen Dating Violence.
In Cross Hill Academy in Yonkers and Peekskill Middle School, our Margaret’s Place Program also ran schoolwide campaigns on teen dating violence, reaching a student body of around 3,000 in total.
Related articles:
- WJCS Domestic Violence Resources
- Domestic Violence: Myths vs. Realities
- Words Have Power: Stand Up, Speak Out, and Make Change
