Friday, February 17, 2012

6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Doors open at 5:30

Howard Community College

10901 Little Patuxent Parkway

Columbia, MD 21044

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The DVC in partnership with Howard Community College (HCC) will host It’s Time to Talk: a Forum on Dating Violence at the college (Duncan Hall, Kittleman Room, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044) on Friday, February 17, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for registration. During this free community forum, participants will learn about this serious and preventable public health problem that can produce negative and long-lasting effects.

Forum’s panel members will include survivors and intimate partner violence experts including, Denise McCain, WHUR radio host for the “Sighlent Storm”, Dave Thomas, of The John Hopkins University, Patricia English with PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays), and Kathy Ferguson from the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Individual breakout sessions will focus on topics of specific interest to teens, adults (e.g., parents, teachers, service providers) and young adults.

It’s Time to Talk: a Forum on Dating Violence is open to all ages.  Pre-registration is encouraged and available by clicking here. Those who register in advance will be eligible for exciting prize drawings.

DVC Interim Executive Director, Inga James, remarks, “Statistics show that one in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship. Dating violence crosses all racial, economic and social lines. Most victims are young women, who are also at greater risk for serious injury. Teenagers can choose better relationships when they learn to identify the early warning signs of an abusive relationship, understand that they have choices, and believe they are valuable people who deserve to be treated with respect.”

Many teens and adults are unaware of how often dating violence occurs. A comparison of the rates of relationship violence (also called intimate partner violence) between teens and adults reveals that teens are at higher risk of abuse. One in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. Teens who are victims are more likely to be depressed, do poorly in school and engage in unhealthy behaviors, like using drugs and alcohol. Abused girls are four to six times more likely to get pregnant and eight to nine times more likely to have tried to commit suicide.

Please contact Vanita Leatherwood, Director of Community Engagement, at (410) 997 – 0304 for additional information.

Telling Our Story: Survivors Speak
10:00 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.

Educating the Community
Vanita Leatherwood, DVC Director of Community Engagement

Lunch Break
11:30 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.

Domestic Violence Forum Panel
12:00 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.

Denise McCain, Domestic Violence Expert & WHUR Sighlent Storm, Panel Moderator

District Court Judge Pamela Brown

District Court Judge Lenore Gelfman

Vanita Leatherwood, DVC Director of Community Engagement

Luanne P. McKenna, Esq., DVC Director of Legal Services

DFC Kevin Layman Police Dept. Domestic Violence Unit

EMPOWERMENT GROUP — Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. starting 9/29/11

The Empowerment Group is for adults who have already received some individual counseling. The group offers support from others who have survived domestic violence and will focus on issues such as isolation.

SAFETY IN NUMBERS — Thursdays 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. starting 10/13/11

Safety in Numbers provides the opportunity for sexual assault survivors to meet other survivors, and to gain and share support and strength in a group format. Topics of the group will include but, are not limited to, mind and body connection, how to increase physical and emotional healing and exploration of issues surrounding safety and trust.

PEER SPEAK: A GROUP FOR TEENS — group forming now for Tuesday schedule this fall

Peer Speak is a new group for teens who have witnessed or experienced dating or domestic violence and want peer support. Please call and register your interest; start date will be determined by the number of registrations.