BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE

By JADE CURTIS

Here at Washingtonville High School, an organization called "Safe Homes" has enacted the Mentors in Violence Prevention Program (MVP).  This is an evidence-based, age-appropriate and engaging bystander approach to preventing violence. The goals of MVP include raising awareness, challenging thinking, opening dialogue and inspiring leadership. 

Statistically speaking, roughly 1.5 million high school boys and girls in the United States alone admit to being intentionally hit or physically harmed in the last year by someone they are romantically involved with. Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior.

Safe Homes of Orange County has played a very big role in contributing to the prevention of dating violence and educating teenagers on how to report their violence. The mission of Safe Homes is to work toward the elimination of intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, and trafficking by providing comprehensive support services to victims and their children, and by increasing public awareness about these issues. 

JADE CURITS FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Through the implementation of workshops in high schools, students partner with trained mentors to talk about the importance of preventing and dealing with dating violence, as it is often overlooked in discussions. Workshops include an overview of warning signs, what teen dating violence is, and how to get support for someone who is experiencing abuse in a relationship. 

The advisor of the program, social worker Ms. O’Sullivan, plays a key role in instructing the program at the high school. She expressed, “In teen dating, it is very easy for the lines between what is healthy and unhealthy to become blurred, especially with technology--monitoring someone's social media accounts or going through their phone can be seen as normal behavior, when it is, in fact, very controlling and a red flag for an abusive relationship. MVP challenges students to think about this and to challenge their own beliefs.” In addition, MVP is used to promote setting boundaries, consent, and the knowledge of what keeps a healthy relationship together. 

Another active member of the program, social worker Mr. Saladino, stated, “MVP helps teens define what a healthy relationship looks like. I really like that the program focuses on the ‘bystander’ model, empowering participants to take on leadership roles in their schools and communities. He went on to say, “The ‘bystander’ approach focuses on individuals not as perpetrators or victims, but rather as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers and support abused ones.”  Safe Homes does an impeccable job educating teenagers on how to speak up for themselves, as well as aiding participants in finding the warning signs that may indicate they are in an abusive relationship. 

Safe Homes has not yet released the workshop dates, but it will likely begin in March. The eight week program will be held after school. Students who successfully complete the program get a certificate and community service hours.  Join the program and help make a change!