Prevent Dating Violence this Valentines Day, all February, all the time!

Being that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and that today is Valentines Day, I thought today was a great opportunity to raise awareness on the prevention of something that effects 1 in 3 teens. The statistics are shocking and sobering. Take that teenage girl when she grows up and add her to the adult female pool of statistics that 1 in 4 woman will be sexually assaulted in their life. These numbers are scary, yes, but there are ways in which we can recognize the signs of an abusive relationship. Abuse does not only come in physical form and it doesn’t have to leave scars. Abuse can be physical, emotional, mental, sexual, and digital.

I recently came across a new developing blog through twitter called To be Fearless in which their entry explains exactly what teen dating violence looks like, the signs, and prevention. I highly suggest you follow their website as well as their twitter. They are continually posting moving and encouraging stories, educating information, current news stories.

There are many websites and resources that offer information and education on topics such as teen dating violence as well as sexual assault, rape, self-harm, suicide, and many more. Here are a list of helpful hotlines to call when you are in need of immediate assistance.


Love is Respect
National Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474
www.loveisrespect.org

Domestic/Relationship Abuse
National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.ndvh.org
800-799-SAFE

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Abuse/Violence Child Protective Services: 1-810-412-6109

National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-HOPE

Safe Horizon
www.safehorizon.org
800-621-HOPE

Cutting/Self-Abuse Finally Ends (SAFE)
www.selfinjury.com
800-DONT-CUT

Alcohol and Drug Helpline: 1-800-821-4357

National Eating Disorder Hotline: 1-800-248-3285

National Suicide Hotline
1-800-SUICIDE

Gay and Lesbian National Hotline
www.glnh.org
888-THE-GLNH (888-843-4564)

LAMBDA
A non-profit, gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender agency dedicated to reducing homophobia, inequality, hate crimes, and discrimination by encouraging self-acceptance, cooperation, and non-violence.
www.lambda.org
208-246-2292

National Youth Crisis Helpline: 1-800-999-9999

National Teen Emergency Hotline: 1-800-448-3000

Teen Line Hotline Help Center
www.teenline.org
714-NEW-TEEN (714-639-8336)



Here are other websites that I have found in my search that are helpful resources and educational sites to raise awareness and offer information.



Break The Cycle
Break the Cycle's mission is to engage, educate and empower youth to build lives and communities free from dating and domestic violence.
www.breakthecycle.org

Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
Search for counseling centers by zip code.
www.rainn.org

The Joyful Heart Foundation
Joyful Heart's mission is to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues. Orginally started as a non-profit dedicated to helping victims of sexual assault through dolphin-human therapy.
www.Joyfulheartfoundation.org

Endthebacklog.org is an effort created by the Joyful Heart Foundation to shine a light on the existence of the rape kit backlog across the United States. The site is designed to serve as an educational platform for those who wish to educate themselves about the backlog and efforts that are being made across the country to eradicate it.

To be Fearless
A blog recently started to educate people on issues like rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.
www.Tobefearless.wordpress.com

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov

Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
website: www.nida.nih.gov

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aa.org

The Well Project
For Women with HIV or AIDS
www.thewellproject.org

The Cool Spot (for teens)
www.thecoolspot.gov

The bottom line is that love shouldn’t hurt. Someone who loves you should respect you. Dating violence or relationship abuse can happen at any point in a person’s life and abuse does not discriminate. It can happen to a man, woman, black, white, rich, or poor person. There is a certain stigma of shame attached to being a victim that needs to be removed. Being victimized can happen to anyone and there is no shame in asking for help. And please, if you know someone who is in an abusive relationship, don’t allow the bystander effect take over. With knowledge to empower and educate us, we can have a chance to change that statistic. There is hope for a brighter future for everyone. Take time today to show your loved ones how much you care about them, love them, and respect them.

Happy Valentines Day
Love Love Love To All,

Katie
xoxoxoxo

Dress for a Good Cause

Hey Ladies!!!!

Do you have any prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, or other formal wear that you know you are never going to wear again? Care to do a little early "spring cleaning" and do the world some good at the same time while helping those in need? Well listen up and get out some bags and boxes!!!

A friend of mine has started a fundraiser and it is called “Dress for a Good Cause.” Established in 2009, this fundraiser raises money by selling formal wear to young girls who may not be able to afford expensive formal wear and rather be able to wear the dresses that you provide such as a dress for a girl for prom this year, or a graduation dress this June. These items are sold at rock bottom prices to those who need it and the money raised by the fundraiser pays for projects at slavery survivor rehab centers around the world.


So what is needed and what and how can you contribute, you ask?

What is needed are gently worn, used dresses and jewelry. Any size, any color, and any style! Dresses can be from prom, graduation, weddings etc. On March 26, 2011 at the Westtown School in West Chester the fundraiser of selling these dresses and items will begin. Not only will this money help young girls in one part of the world, but you are doing doubly good by helping those in another part of the world as well. The fundraiser this year currently supports two rehab centers in India, but there are many rehab centers that need help worldwide including Haiti, Thailand, Ghana, and even right here in the United States. The more money that is raised, the more places can be helped. The money raised for these rehabs and shelters provides important materials such as cooking utensils, sewing machines, and solar lamps and panels. Previous events raised enough money for a motorbike and SUV for a boys’ rehab center and a small herd of cattle and a bio-gas oven for a women’s shelter in India. This year’s goal is a pavilion-type outdoor shelter at the center for survivors of human trafficking and sex slavery in India. Let’s make that happen!





You are also keeping dresses out of landfills and keep them from being thrown away. You will be helping girls in need here at home and also provide necessities in a safe haven in a place for girls who have been through so much in their young lives. You will be doing so much just by donating a few items that you know is just wasting space in your closet or collecting dust in your attic. You know you are never going to wear that dress again and it is going to help someone like these girls.




READ: The creator of this fundraiser also has a blog, Author for Change. Her name is Carol. And you may contact her if you have any questions about donating any items for the fundraiser. You may also ask me any questions and hand me your donations and I will gladly pass them onto Carol.

Thank you so much for your attention and please consider helping out in this great cause. (Start looking in that closet! =D)

Lot and lots of love,
Katie
xoxoxoxo