FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 22, 2019
MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Klain | Creative Marketing Resources | (414) 247-9898
MADISON, Wisc. — 2018 marked the lowest rate of domestic violence homicides in Wisconsin since 2011—a 24% decrease from the year prior, according to the End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin (End Abuse) 2018 Wisconsin Domestic Violence Homicide Report. Reductions like this inspire End Abuse to continue supporting efforts to prevent domestic violence.
“End Abuse has led prevention efforts since 2002, and studies show that promoting healthy behaviors is a proven way to curb gender-based violence. This is why the Dare2Know movement targets teens and young adults to educate them on the issue of teen dating violence and the strength of positive relationships with the hope that future abuse will be prevented altogether,” said Patti Seger, Executive Director of End Abuse. “The report noted that the average age of domestic violence homicide victims and perpetrators are 38 and 36, respectively, so we are intervening decades before data predicts these incidents will occur in hopes of preventing them entirely.”
During October’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Dare2Know will be participating in community events across the state that are both entertaining and educational for local families. “Dare2Know focuses on the positive parts of prevention and increasing awareness, so these October events are designed to be fun, engaging for the whole family,” Seger shared. In addition to being invited to attend the prestigious 2019 Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Domestic Abuse Issues hosted by the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse on October 16, “Dare2Know will have an on-site presence at “Unmasking Domestic Violence Halloween Ball” in Sturgeon Bay, WI on October 26,” Seger said. Dare2Know is also hosting a youth-oriented workshop at “Healing Canvas Art Gallery at Madison College” in Madison WI on October 27. “These events also present the opportunity to connect with the community and spread the word about our mission. It doesn’t take much for people to makea difference in their communities,” Seger continued. For more details on these and other Dare2Know events in October 2019 and beyond, please visit https://dare2knowwi.org/events-news/
The award-winning Dare2Know movement was launched in July 2018 with the mission to empower Wisconsin’s youth to join the movement to end Teen Dating Violence. The Dare2Know campaign employs Youth Outreach Specialists and Teen Ambassadors between the ages of 10-20 to become active in their communities in promoting healthy relationships. One of these young people, Tiangelique Dunigan, offers what the Teen Ambassador Program has meant to her:
“The idea of healthy relationships, what does that look like, what does that feel like, what does that sound like. I knew maybe some of the relationships I had with people, not just dating but with friends or family, some of those relationships weren’t healthy. This was helpful for me, so when I got introduced to the teen ambassador program I was like yeah this is it, this is what I want to do.”
To ensure the widespread education, Dare2Know has also formed the Teen Ambassador Program (TAP). TAP was created to build a statewide network of teens that support one another in the movement to end teen dating violence. This program includes a Teen Ambassador toolkit, educational challenges to aid them through the D2K process, and monthly virtual meetups hosted by the D2K Youth Outreach Specialists to connect the Teen Ambassadors to each other and educate them to further promote healthy relationships in their community.
According to End Abuse, 1 in 5 teens experiences dating violence in Wisconsin. Approximately 67% of those teens never share their experiences, LoveIsRespect.org reports. “By empowering teens across the state who are dedicated to ending teen dating violence and engaging in respectful relationships, we are creating a support system for Wisconsin’s youth. The upcoming generation wants to create a better, safer world. We are just giving them the opportunity to do so,” Seger said.
Find out more and get involved in the Teen Ambassador Program at www.dare2knowwi.org.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equality, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse. We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline number [1−800−799−SAFE] in their stories for victims who need help. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at http://www.endabusewi.org.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin is located at 1400 E Washington Ave Ste 227, Madison, WI 53703. Phone: 608-255-0539.