[dropcap]D[/dropcap]ripping Springs High student Addie Villas understands the circumstances surrounding dating violence can often go unnoticed.
Through the student-led Domestic Violence Advisory Board, Villas and other Dripping Springs ISD students hope to shed more light on a problem they say is all too prevalent in today’s society.
That’s why awareness took center stage Saturday as the DVAB held its inaugural self-defense class at Dripping Springs High.
Villas said the board wanted to show facts regarding dating violence, but also show students how to protect themselves as well.
Tori Listoe, who is also part of the board and is a Dripping Springs High junior, said the board sought ways to promote October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
An opportunity arose last spring when Listoe, who is close to obtaining her black belt, enlisted the help of her karate instructors to help teach a self-defense course.
“We wanted to teach basic self-defense for men, women and children to get away from dangerous situations,” Listoe said.
The two-hour course also centered on the danger signs of dating violence, primarily for high school students.
Villas said high school dating violence happens “more often than you think,” and involves emotional and physical abuse. She added many victims may not realize dating violence is taking place, and often it goes unchecked.
For some victims, the shame of coming out and acknowledging they are victims of dating violence is also a factor.
Villas said one of the biggest red flags takes place when a victim is constantly checked upon by a significant other, or if the significant other is frequently jealous and is selfish with the victim. Other issues include a drastic change in mood or behavior.
“It shows there is support. There are people who are helping to stop this from becoming a problem that’s prevalent in our world.” Sydney Morriss, treasurer on the DVAB and Dripping Springs High sophomore
Listoe said statistics regarding high school dating violence are “uncomfortably high.”
According to loveandrespect.org, nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a partner in a single year. Roughly one in three adolescents are victims of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner.
“Anything we can do as a school and a team to lower those rates, it doesn’t just benefit us as a board…it benefits everyone,” Listoe said.
Villas said education is one of the primary ways the board tries to address dating violence. The board, which partners with the Hays Caldwell Women’s Center, regularly hears stories from victims of domestic violence.
Villas said the experience, while hard to listen to, is also needed to help curb the problem.
“There needs to be more education on this subject,” Villas said.
Sydney Morriss, treasurer on the DVAB and Dripping Springs High sophomore, said Saturday’s awareness event can give hope to “a lot of people.”
“It shows there is support. There are people who are helping to stop this from becoming a problem that’s prevalent in our world,” Morriss said.
