MEDIA CONTACT:

Jasmine Shafik        

(714) 530-0430 ext. 968

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 11, 2010

Thirty BGCGG Teens Attend Dating Violence Workshop

Garden Grove, CA (November 11, 2010) – In the United States, one out of three teenagers experience violence in a dating relationship, with half of all rape victims raped between the ages of 14 and 17 (L.A. Commission on Assaults Against Women).

In our effort to combat domestic violence within teens, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove(BGCGG) hosted a Teen Dating Violence Workshop with guest speaker, Robert Diaz, a Community Educator from Human Options, on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at Santiago High School.  Thirty high school students and BGCGG members learned about signs of abuse and how to protect themselves.

Domestic violence, as Robert explained, is any form of abuse in a relationship in which an individual tries to acquire power and control, displays traits of extreme jealousy and possessiveness. “Some people see control and guidance as equal. Control is isolation. Guidance is advice,” said Rebecca O., 16 year-old Club member at Santiago High School.

Robert continued to capture the young audience by sharing Jason’s Story, about a real teenage relationship that illustrated the cycle of violence and how it became a relentless repetition, until one partner decided to end it. “We all need to know what the behaviors, patterns, and consequences of an abusive relationship look like especially, when we are young and just beginning to date and experience romantic feelings for someone on the first time. As I talk about the cycle of domestic violence and intimate relationships, many teens recognize the pattern in theirs or a friend’s relationship,” says Diaz. The cycle of violence manifests in three main phases: 

Tension-Building Phase

The abuser becomes temperamental and critical of the victim. As tension escalates, the victim fears to say or do the wrong thing, and feels as if they are ‘walking on eggshells.’

Explosion Phase

The abuser physically, verbally, emotionally, sexually, or financially attacks the victim. This may include a onetime slap, push or punch, or it may be hours of repeated beatings, with objects or weapons used to further injure the victim’s health.

Honeymoon Phase

The abuser may apologize for explosion, promise never to abuse again, or even blame the victim for causing them to lose their temper. The victim may hope the abuse is over, as the abuser may use manipulation by offering flowers, jewelry, perfume, or candy.

If you or someone you know needs help, safe and supportive counseling, legal services or additional information on domestic violence shelters available throughout Orange County,  please contact the office of ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children’s Health, Education, & Support), a program of Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove, at (714) 532-7941. For additional information regarding the teen dating violence workshop, please call Robert Diaz at (949) 737-5242 ext 214.  

ABOUT HUMAN OPTIONS

Human Options’ mission is to help battered women, their families and our community break the cycle of domestic violence.

• Human Options’ multiple services—hotline, shelter, transitional housing, and community resource center—served more than 3,200 clients last year.
• Human Options’ community education/prevention program spoke to more than 22,000 youth from kindergarten through college last year.
• In three separate research studies, Human Options found that 93% of graduates from our residential programs are violence-free one year or more after program graduation.

Human Options provides:

• Safety for women and their children
• Long-term support to rebuild lives
• Education to create a safe community

ABOUT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF GARDEN GROVE

For more than 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) has helped kids “BE GREAT” by changing and saving young lives, playing an integral role in its community. Striving to help children succeed in life, Boys & Girls Clubs provide hope and opportunity through afterschool, family support, and community outreach programs. Our 57 program sites serve over 8,500 families annually and 5,000 young people daily, from “Diapers to Diplomas,” ages 18 months-18 years old.

The Clubs are open daily with programs in character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation. Our family outreach programs such as Family Campus Preschool, School Readiness, REACH For Literacy (Reading Education for Adults & CHildren), ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children's Health, Education and Support), FYOP (Family & Youth Outreach Program), and TRC (Truancy Reduction Center) expand our services to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met. Through our efforts we do our best to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Please visit www.begreatgardengrove.org for more information. Great Futures Start Here.

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