In Alabama, 12 percent of high school students report being harmed by a dating partner. Another startling fact is that 1 out of 4 teen girls and 1 out of 6 teen boys become victims of sexual assault before they reach adulthood. Experience shows that the relationships people form in their teenage years greatly influence the relationships they form as adults. Understanding that prevention is a key to breaking the cycle of domestic violence, the YWCA Central Alabama’s Healthy Relationships program focuses on building solid relationships at an early age.
Championed by AmeriCorps members Katie Reed and Jessica Altice, the YWCA’s Healthy Relationships outreach is a division of the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Services Department and is grateful to have AmeriCorps members join in on the cause of educating youth. In 2014 alone, the program has already presented in several area schools to approximately 665 students. These schools include Rudd Junior High, Hayes Middle, Ashville Middle and Hueytown Junior High, as well as an all boys mentoring group at UAB. The AmeriCorps members engage students in conversations about the differences in healthy and unhealthy relationships, the warning signs of abusive relationships, how to help friends who are being abused and ways to protect oneself from sexual assault.
“One of my favorite activities that we do with students is our Refuse Abuse Red Flags. We have students write on paper flags why they refuse to abuse or refuse to be abused, and the schools usually display their work,” said AmeriCorps member Katie Reed. For example, one student wrote “I don’t want to physically or emotionally hurt someone I love and care for. I refuse to abuse because I’m better than that.” Another wrote “I refuse to be abused because I know I deserve to be loved and protected instead of abused. I know my worth.” AmeriCorps member Katie Reed also noted that the flags are special to her because they demonstrate that the students are able to personalize the information they discuss.
Completing the Healthy Relationships team, traveling to schools helping educate students is AmeriCorps member Jessica Altice. Jessica says she believes her time spent in the schools this year has been extremely beneficial to the students. “Our main focus is discussing the aspects of healthy and abusive relationships, but we also teach them skills that will help them throughout their lives. We teach them about empathy, respect, acceptance and being good friends. These life lessons not only help them be better boyfriends and girlfriends, but they also teach them to be better people, said Jessica.
Knowing the importance of education, and being an example through their AmeriCorps service is a part of what Katie and Jessica do daily. They hope their message will help change, and save lives. During the month of February the Refuse Abuse Red Flags were replaced with paper hearts, and many were displayed in the YWCA’s lobby to inspire and encourage others. This idea allowed AmeriCorps members Katie Reed and Jessica Altice to take the message of Healthy Relationships from the classroom to the real world.
