Sen. Alexander to make proclamation at West-Oak High

On March 24, State Senator Thomas Alexander of Oconee County will visit West-Oak High School to respond to a letter and petition written and signed by the students in an effort to bring awareness to the issue of teen dating violence. Currently, Safe Harbor’s Relationship Education Project is teaching freshman students at West-Oak High School about healthy relationships and the warning signs and dynamics of abusive relationships. Safe Harbor’s Prevention Coordinator, Amanda Callahan, is facilitating the program at West-Oak High School. Principal Kurt Kreuzberger supports the program with enthusiasm, saying, “I am very pleased with West-Oak High School’s relationship with Safe Harbor and commend Mrs. Newby on her efforts to bring Safe Harbor’s Relationship Education Project to her freshman PE classes.  Domestic violence and teen dating violence is an issue we must address and provide our students with not only information but coping skills to confront this issue.” The statistics are staggering: 33% of teens in intimate relationships will experience dating violence; 25% of teen girls will experience sexual pressure from their partner; over 50% of students are a bystander to dating violence or know a friend experiencing abuse in a relationship. In addition, S.C. ranks as the #1 state in the nation in numbers of women killed by men. Through Safe Harbor’s Relationship Education Program, West-Oak students signed a petition to Senator Alexander, highlighting the issue of teen dating violence and asking the Senator to declare February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. In response, Senator Alexander introduced Senate Resolution 1025 declaring February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in South Carolina. Senator Alexander will be at West-Oak High School to read the declaration and make comments about the issue of teen dating violence on March 24 from 11:10am – 11:25am in the auditorium.