February 2023 Newsletter
Read on for the latest from Peace House!
February is both Teen Dating Violence Awareness month and Black History month. Teen dating violence profoundly impacts lifelong health, opportunity, and wellbeing. Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. The good news is violence is preventable, and we can all help young people grow up violence-free.
Teen dating violence is common. Data from CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2019 indicate that among U.S. high school students who reported dating during the 12 months before the survey:
- About 1 in 12 experienced physical dating violence.
- About 1 in 12 experienced sexual dating violence.
2023 Black History Month Theme – Black Resistance
African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial programs, and police killings. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction.
There are some life events and activities that seem to increase the risk factor for violent behaviors. These risk factors include experiences with discrimination, and economic insecurity. What's more, the Women of Color Network reports that economic insecurity, combined with isolation, racism, and discrimination, shape how women of color experience and respond to domestic violence.
Events
Emma Zevallos is hosting the second lecture in the Compass series, titled: Gender Roles: Their Contribution to Sexual Violence on Wednesday February 8, from 5:00 – 6:00 pm via Zoom. This presentation reviews gender roles and their contribution to Sexual Violence. Our training will cover gender stereotyping, gender wage gap, sexism, and more.
Our admin offices will be closed on Monday, February 20 for President's Day.
Peace House is offering advocacy training in March! If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the trainings available, please reach out to Rylie@peacehouse.org for more information.
Peace House is hosting advocacy training!
What you will learn:
Know Utah's Mandatory Reporting laws and your responsibility
Understand how to de-escalate and intervene in a crisis
How understanding trauma should inform the way we respond to crisis
Identify warning signs for abuse and more
Choose from:
24 hour Core training track
40 hour Advocacy specific track
Our training tracks require a commitment to attend all sessions in person on the advertised date (or arrange a catch-up session where possible).
We want all volunteers who represent Peace House, and come into contact with survivors, to be well equipped to support victims of interpersonal violence.
We hope that all who attend our training program will be interested in volunteering with Peace House on an ongoing basis.
We are also aware that this work can be very triggering. We encourage all potential volunteers to discuss their questions in advance with our Volunteer recruitment team so we can help you determine how best to join us.