Dating Violence
Dear Editor: February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Teens experience abuse in relationships more often than we might think, and it is important for parents and safe adults in the community to know the warning signs of unhealthy and abusive relationships, and to believe teens when they come forward for support.
Relationships exist on a spectrum from healthy to abusive. Sometimes it can be hard to spot warning signs of teen dating violence, especially if they are trying to hide what is happening. Warning signs can include: isolation from family or peers, jealousy and/or possessiveness, verbal and emotional abuse such as put downs or name calling, physical violence, sexual coercion, and noticeable changes in behavior.
Talking to your teen about an unhealthy relationship can be particularly hard for a lot of reasons including shame, fear, or protection for their abusive significant other. When talking to your child about an abusive relationship, it is important to remember that the relationship includes dynamics of power and control, and you should respect their autonomy unlike that abusive person. When having a conversation, listen to what they are saying without judgment, don’t force them to break up with their partner, and don’t talk about their relationship publicly or on social media without their consent. Making decisions for them will disempower them and make them less likely to reach out to you for support in the future.
This Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, let’s stand together to support and empower teens, and let them know they are not alone.
Love is respect is an amazing resource for teens wanting to learn more or who are experiencing violence as well as for parents and teachers. There is an online quiz to determine whether or not you are in a healthy relationship as well as an online chat feature for teens to use. Learn more at loveisrespect.org.
A great resource for parents, teachers, and medical providers comes from Futures without Violence, one of our favorite national advocacy organizations. Check out their page for adult supporters.
Executive Director Natalie Wojcik
Sitkans Against Family Violence
Humanitarian Catastrophe
Dear Editor: This week, the death toll in Gaza will likely pass 30,000, mostly women and children. Palestinians in Gaza are not only living under constant threat of air strikes, but they are also at high risk of malnutrition and disease.
According to Amnesty International, “The scale and gravity of the humanitarian catastrophe caused by Israel’s relentless bombardment, destruction and suffocating siege puts more than two million Palestinians of Gaza at risk of irreparable harm.”
This catastrophe is aided and abetted by U.S. funding and weapons.
On Tuesday, the United States was the only country to veto a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
President Biden is pressuring Congress to approve a foreign aid bill that includes $14 billion for Israel.
Contributing to the humanitarian crisis, the U.S. recently cut funding for the UN’s Relief Works Agency following unsubstantiated claims from the Israeli government that the agency had connections with Hamas. UNRWA has long served as a sole lifeline for Palestinian refugees, offering indispensable humanitarian aid, shelter and education.
Millions of Americans have been unwilling to stand by and watch as Palestinian civilians die due to bombardment, lack of food and water, the spread of diseases, and lack of health care. As a participant in the weekly Voices for Peace vigil, I have been moved by the overwhelmingly positive response of Sitkans to the call for a permanent ceasefire.
Please take the extra step of contacting our elected officials – Representative Peltola, and Senators Murkowski and Sullivan – to urge an end to U.S. military funding for Israel and, instead, support for a permanent ceasefire, and the resumption of U.S. funding of UNRWA.
Community members are invited to attend the weekly Voices for Peace vigil, Saturdays, noon-1 p.m., at the roundabout. Everyone is welcome to join for part or all of the hour. Weekly vigils will continue every Saturday until there is a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Cindy Litman, Sitka
