EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Commissioners Court unanimously adopted a resolution during its meeting on Monday, Feb. 5 to recognize February as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month” in El Paso County.
The resolution aims to help advocacy groups like Centers Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV) and Jennifer Ann’s Group to continue working with area school districts to educate adults and youth about dating violence.
Training will also be provided for teachers, counselors and school staff to better recognize signs of dating violence within teens.
The resolution was added to the agenda by Commissioner Sergio Coronado, Precinct 4, who said: “The younger we can get them and try to prevent these horrible things from happening the better for our entire community and country.”
Marissa Delgado, primary program coordinator with CASFV, said recognition from the County helps their organization spread the message.
“Everybody can be an active bystander, right? If we see something, say something. That’s what we really emphasize in the community-wide effort with the ‘EmpOURment Project,’ is really educating the community on knowing what the signs are and how to acknowledge that dating violence is a real thing,” she said.
According to CASFV, 1 in 10 teenagers will experience some sort of dating violence behavior. From that number, only 33% will report it.
In commemoration of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, the Star on the Mountain will be lit on Feb. 14 to recognize teenagers from all over who have been impacted by unhealthy relationships.
For more resources on sexual or family violence you can visit casfv.org
You can also call the 24-hour ‘Crisis Hopeline’: (915) 593-7300
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