Ware Students Recognized
Ware Students Recognized by AG for Dating Violence
WARE, Mass (WGGB) — Adolescents and adults are often unaware that teens experience dating violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control 9.4% of teens reported being hit, slapped or physically hurt by a significant other.
Twenty-one high school students from Ware decided to make a video comparing an unhealthy relationship to a healthy one. They noted dating violence has been brought up a lot lately and they hoped this would show their peers that they should never feel alone.
The video made such an impact that the Attorney General brought all 21 students in and presented them with certificates of recognition.
“One woman stood up at the end and thanked us for everything we’ve done because she had been a victim for 32 years. Just knowing you’re making a difference in someone’s lives even if it doesn’t happen to you, you might not realize it but when someone tells you there story like wow it’s actually making a difference,” Sadie Simons, a student who helped to make the video, told ABC40.
The man behind the scenes was Mr. Dan Orszulak. He believes the key to getting the word out about such a topic is having the students teaching their peers.
“I think why we had the idea of the video is because it’s the kids. The kids at school know these people all the high school kids, familiar faces, people they look up to. So when they see them putting importance on this video it’s kind of contagious,” Orszulak said.
It’s already started to help students like Jillian Pittsley who had to speak to her girlfriend who Pittsley believed was being abused.
“It was hard to try to reach out to her, to tell her she needs to get help she had no idea anything was wrong. Two things realize it and fix it and get out of it,” Pittsley said.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of teen dating violence or domestic abuse. You can visit http://www.thehotline.org/ or use the 24 hour National Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-7233