Teens and Adults Will Meet In Effort to Stop Dating Violence

Rockville MD

07 April, 2021

1:13 PM

Description

For immediate release: Teens and parents are invited to attend #respectfest2021 virtually from April 18 through April 23, 2021. The weeklong free initiative will focus on learning about dating violence prevention and the resources available in Montgomery County, Maryland. According to the Department of Education, nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year and one in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence. "Although this year's RespectFest is different from the past, I am glad we still have the opportunity to educate others on dating violence which, is why I joined the Choose Respect initiative," said Vikhyana Gonzalez, a senior at Blair High School. "Students should have the opportunity to learn what a healthy relationship looks like, what it doesn't look like, and how to prevent dating violence--and that is what RespectFest offers, in a fun way as well!" Gonzalez is a student member of the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council One in 10 Maryland high school students have experienced physical and/or sexual dating violence, according to Smita Varia, Program Manager of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. She noted that the event will be available in both English and Spanish. Students will receive SSL hours through the event. Varia said the event will include an online scavenger hunt, Jeopardy, a survivor's story, yoga and self-defense classes, workshops for parents in English and Spanish, and other interactive activities. The winners of the Choose Respect Video Contest will be announced during the week. For further information, visit bit.ly/respectfest21. #respectfest2021 is a Choose Respect Montgomery program. Choose Respect Montgomery is an initiative of the Montgomery County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, whose mission is to promote respect in dating relationships and to raise community awareness about the prevalence of teen dating violence.