Teen dating violence is a growing epidemic

A workshop designed to assist young men and women to recognize the signs of an abusive relationship is being offered for youth between the ages of 12-18.

A workshop designed to assist young men and women to recognize the signs of an abusive relationship is being offered for youth between the ages of 12-18.

Heart of the Family is presenting the teen dating violence prevention workshop on Saturday, October 18, 2003, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Calvary United Methodist Church, Flint, Michigan.

After completing this workshop, participants will be better able to recognize the signs of an abusive relationship and the elements that make for healthy interpersonal relationships.

Flint Mayor James W Rutherford will open the program speaking on the vital role community centers play in character building and social skills development.

Parent orientation will follow with an introductio! n of workshop facilitators Jim & Elsa Croucher, founders of Citizens Against Domestic Violence, Middletown, Ohio.

The Croucher's whose 18-year old daughter Tina was murdered by her ex-boyfriend have spoken to 6,000 high school and college students nationally.

Research has shown an alarming trend of acceptance for some form of violence in their interpersonal relationships.

A survey conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee reported that students found it acceptable for violence to be used, "if a girl yelled at her boyfriend or insulted him in front of his friends." The students surveyed also felt a girl deserved to be shoved or slapped by her boyfriend if she was seen talking to another boy.

A Harvard study published in the August 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reported that teen dating violence often leads to other risky behaviors such as substance abuse, promiscuity, unhealthy weight control, pr! egnancy and suicide.

These are the behaviors the workshop seeks to change.

Heart of the Family is a non-profit organization committed to empowering abused women and children exposed to family violence.

Michael F Craig founded the organization following the loss of his daughter Nichole who died from childbirth complications ten days after being beaten by her husband Mustafah Muhammad who then roamed the defensive backfield for the Indianapolis Colts. Years earlier he loss his only son Brian who died from a gunshot wound to the head during a dispute with his girlfriend.

Craig travels widely sharing the pain of his losses and is often called upon for media interviews.

The impact on the lives of the youth participating in the workshop will be immediate. They will leave with a better understanding of the cycle of abuse that is destroying our families, devastating our communities, and contributing to the violence spilling over into our school classrooms.

Admission is free and all are welcome regardless of fa! ith or belief.

To register goto Events at www.heartofthefamily.info .