Liberty House educates teens on dating violence

ALBANY — Teen dating violence has been a focus for Liberty House during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, prompting a workshop for teenagers in the area to educate them on what defines a healthy relationship and what to do when a relationship reaches an unhealthy level.

The workshop was held at Covenant Presbyterian Church on Thursday evening.

Silke Deeley, director of the Liberty House, said the ultimate goal was make sure teens could identify when they were in an unhealthy relationship, indicating that addressing bulling was a factor in combating the problem.

“We see a lot kids experience domestic violence at home that (gets into) the schools,” Deeley said. “(These are issues) that don’t happen in a vacuum.

“If they are not taught about good relationships, how will they know they are not in one?”

Both teen boys and teen girls were sitting in groups engaged in educational activities related to the issue of dating violence, which Deeley said was encouraging.

“I think that is a good beginning,” she said. “This should be a part of their basic health (education). The earlier we start, the less likely we are to see it later on.”

Thursday’s teen workshop was the first one done by Liberty House, and the hope is that more can be done in the future, Deeley said, to help the one out of three teens impacted by domestic violence.

“We want to make sure kids understand there is such a thing as a healthy relationship,” she said.

The activities included “I’m Taking A Stand” sheets filled out by the participants, a version of bingo called “I Have A Right to … ” and “Tricky Trivia.” Discussions with Liberty House staff members on “Did You Know” and “What Would You Do?” were held to educate teens on how to appropriately handle specific situations, facts on dating violence and the resources to protect themselves.

For instance, when the group was asked what to do if a partner is constantly checking in, one girl said “I would turn my phone off and go back to sleep.”

In the scenario that a friend was being attacked by a partner, another teen said she would intervene on the friend’s behalf. The conductors of the workshop suggested calling for help instead, since intervening can often cause further harm.

An adult should also be informed when boundaries in a relationship are not respected, the Liberty House staffers said.

A poll also indicated many of the teens there did not know the crisis line numbers open to victims of domestic abuse. Aside from 911 in the case of immediate danger, 1-800-334-2836 or (229) 439-7065 are the numbers open to individuals in Southwest Georgia impacted by domestic violence.

Liberty House, based in Albany, is a resource for domestic violence victims in Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Lee, Macon, Miller, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell and Webster. The organization’s business office can be reached at (229) 439-7094.