HOUSTON – Teenagers are armed with a new generation of high-technology stalking tools, according to The Houston Area Women’s Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of domestic violence and helping domestic violence victims.
Earlier this month, Spring Woods High School theatre arts students role played several domestic violence scenarios in front of an audience of their peers as part of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
“It's happening every day and it could be happening to your best friend,” said student Caleb Duncan.” And if you see it happening you have to stop it.”
As many as 25 percent of teenagers report being harassed, stalked, or abused through the use of cell phones, texting, and online social networking sites, according to the Houston Area Women’s Center. One in three teens say they are text messaged by a controlling, stalking partner 10, 20, even 30 times an hour.
The same survey suggests that most parents are “completely unaware” of this variety of dating abuse and the dangers their teens might face.
"Now, with the touch of a button, you can send a hurtful text message that can tear someone to bits,” said student Emma Russell.
Tyler First, another student, said one of his friends was a victim of physical abuse.
“Punching her and actually giving her a black eye,” First said. “It was a good friend of mine that happened to. It was the worst of the worst almost."
According to the Houston Area Women’s Center, 9 percent of Houston students surveyed in grades 9 to 12 reported being hit, slapped or physically hurt by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year.
One in three teenagers reported that they know a friend who has been punched, kicked, choked or physically hurt by their partner. And while 24 percent of 14 to 17 year olds know at least one student who has been the victim of dating violence, 81 percent of parents “either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it is an issue.”
“Sometimes it ends in the worst way possible, and people get killed by it,” said Lydia O’Quinn, a student who took part in the Spring Woods H.S. performance.
In 2008, 136 women were killed by their husband, boyfriend, or intimate partner, according to statistics compiled by the Texas Council on Family Violence. Nine of those victims were teenagers.
More information:
The Houston Area Women’s Center 22nd annual Race Against Violence takes place March 6th at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. Visit www.hawc.org or call 713-528-6798.
Domestic Violence Hotline 713-528-2121
