Using Your Voice

In 2010, MTV’s Teen Mom star Amber Portwood was seen punching her on-and-off boyfriend Gary Shirley in the face. During one episode, Amber kicked Gary in the back as he walked down a flight of stairs. Recently Amber was arrested for two felony accounts of domestic battery. She could have faced a $10,000 fine if she had been convicted. 

This incident has shed a new light onto dating violence. When most people consider domestic violence they think of a boyfriend, or husband, throwing their girlfriend, or wife, into a wall, punching or kicking her. Rarely do people consider it when the roles are reversed. This is a respect issue to be considered during February which is Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. Respect needs to flow both ways through a relationship and guys need to be taught the signs of dating violence. Things like possessiveness, constant texting and calling as well as threats can come from girls as well.

As the Community Liaison for the PAVE (Prevent Assault and Violence Education) program of Mental Health America, I feel that it is my duty to relay our messages to the public. There is no way to fix a problem unless you have supporters and people that believe in it. PAVE has a large following of dedicated students, however the community should be aware of what we are doing. I hope to help circulate the anti violence messages through all central Ohio communities and help to make the area a better place to live and learn.

Now that I have (hopefully) made you think about violence in our community, relationships, or teens, I have used MY voice for one more thing. Educating you. So my question becomes, what will you do with this message? How can you share the importance of true respect? 1 in 4 teens are victims of dating violence. We could use your help to change that statistic.

--Gabrielle Scopel

PAVE Community Liaison 

& senior at Licking Heights High School