Teen Talk is a program for adolescent girls to intimately share the candid realities of domestic abuse and violence. Prevention is the only cure for this epidemic.
Have you educated yourself on the odds your daughters face? You need to be - the statistics are alarming.
Teen Dating Violence Statistics:
Four out of five female undergraduates surveyed at Canadian universities said they had been victims of violence in a dating relationship.
29% reported incidents of sexual assault
(W. DeKeseredy and K.Kelly, The Incidence and Prevalence of Woman Abuse in Canadian University and College Dating Relationships: Results from a National Survey, 1993.)
1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted - 1/2 will be against women under 16 years of age
(Brickman & Briere, Winnipeg, 1984
Date rape accounts for 60% of reported rapes
(Vis-A-Vis, USA, 1992.)
Yet - it is estimated that only 1% of all date rapes are reported to the police
(Diana Russell, Sexual Exploitation: Rape, Child Abuse and Workplace Harassment, California, 1984.)
60% of Canadian college-aged males indicated they would commit sexual assault if they were certain they would not get caught.
(Lenskyj, 1992.)
A study in Toronto found that 20% of young women in high school had experienced at least one form of assault in a dating relationship.
(Shirley Mercer, Not a Pretty Picture: An Exploratory Study of Violence Against Women in Dating Relationships, Toronto, 1987.)
8 out of 10 female students said they had been sexually harassed at school
(“The Joke’s Over – Student to Student Sexual Harassment in Secondary Schools”, published by The Ontario Women’s Directorate, The Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation and the Ministry of Education, (1995).)
More young women are aware of teen dating violence among their peers and have experienced such abuse than young men.
In a study of students in grades 9 to 13, 54% of students were aware of dating violence among their peers, with significantly more girls (61%) reporting this than boys (48%)
(Jaffe et al (1992).)
29% of adolescent (11 to 20 years old) girls and 13% of boys in the sample reported some abuse in their dating relationships
(Price et al (2000).)
These are just the statistics - imagine what is actually happening to your daughter and - you have no idea. Yes, it is time for discussion, long overdue and that is why I share my journey thus far.
I began this quest for my own children and now I am doing it for yours.
Teen Talk has been specifically designed to address personal value, self-esteem and co-dependency. A candid journey of domestic violence is shared while providing the young ladies with tale telling signs that guy is a jerk and stay very far away.
Your daughter will be far more prepared for dating. It does not matter if you forbid her until she is 16. At 11 or 12, these children are "dating" and a prescendent is being set.
Stop the violence before it starts - join this quest to eradicate domestic violence.
Our daughters will thank us.
Teen Talk - Domestic Violence Prevention Presentation
Half of Canadian women (51%) have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of 16. (Canadian Women's Foundation)
Prevention is the only way to eradicate domestic violence and, it begins with our daughters. We cannot remain silent. Domestic Violence is occurring in epidemic proportions. A national state of emergency would be declared if all victims stepped forward and actually were able to safely disclose the truth behind closed doors.
Teen Talk provides adolescent girls the necessary tools to distinguish potential abusive relationships. The education and awareness arms these young ladies with acknowledgement their own value and self-worth. The presentation alerts them to specific character traits, thus providing the ability to differentiate between "charm" and "manipulation" by a suitor. Relationship reversal is addressed by revealing co-dependency coping mechanisms which are ultimately destructive.
Teen Talk provides each young lady the opportunity to anonymously address their personal concerns. Prior to the scheduled presentation, the ladies are given one question, "Is there anything you would like to know about domestic abuse or violence?" The information being sought will then be addressed during the presentation. Open dialogue is encouraged throughout - but - speaking about domestic violence publicly is very difficult and challenging. Teen Talk will soon incorporate IM (instant messaging) throughout the presentation. Technology allows anyone in attendance to discretely obtain additional knowledge if during the real-time discussion concerns or questions are provoked.
1. Teen Talk's Message begins with a demonstration of Value.
A brand, new, crisp $20 bill is held up, and the question is asked: "Who wants this new $20 bill?"
(hands go up, and "I do(s)" are shouted.)
"OK.. what if I do this?" - And, the bill is crumpled in a ball.
"Who wants it?" (All hands go up.)
"OK, what if I do this?" - And, the bill is dropped onto the ground and squished by a shoe.
"Anyone still want $20?" (All hands go up.)
"What about now?" - And, the bill is ripped in 2.
"Does anyone still want $20? (all hands up) It was a shiny, brand new bill a minute ago, but now it has been crumpled, stepped on, soiled and torn in half. Everyone one of you still wants it. Why - because it did not decrease in value. Remember this - many times in our lives we may feel we are dropped, crumpled, ground into dirt and ripped to shreds. It happens because of circumstances that come our way and decisions we choose to make or not make. We can feel worthless."
"But we are not - no matter what has happened - you never lose your value - your value is the same as the next person. Life is not about what you achieve, it is overcome."
One girl will then receive the $20. She is encouraged to treat herself and another person she values to lunch and create a special memory.
2. Teen Talk Introduction - Talking Benefits and Personal Journey
3. 5 Ways to Spot a Jerk
The topic of healthy relationships is discussed and 5 character traits of potential abusers discussed. Upon considering a potential relationship, the young ladies are given the following questions to consider:
1. How do they treat others?
2. Are they overly critical?
3. Are they unavailable for group outings?
4. Do they have unpredictable mood swings?
5. Are they narcissistic?
Personal disorders are briefly described and discussed. Emphasis is made that strong relationship skills are just as important and applicable in daily public life (i.e. workplace) as they are private relationships.
4. Relationship Reversal
Healthy and unhealthy relationship boundaries are discussed. Teen Talk allows through sharing of experiences to address the problematic coping mechanism of co-dependency. Easily adopted at a young age, many young girls are unaware of the defense mechanisms they have unconsciously adopted through their various life circumstances. Addressing this issue, the girls have the opportunity to acknowledge privately or publicly any of their own concerns. Providing an enlightenment regarding co-dependent characteristic will greatly decrease the acceptance of others behaviour in later relationships.
5. Open Discussion
To book a presentation or for more information, please do not hesitate to contact Lisa directly. All emails are read privately and kept confidential.
If you have any questions or require additional information or service, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at LisaA.MacLeod@gmail.com.
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