Teen Dating Abuse News: Father of murdered teen speaks after daughter’s death.

07/22/2011

In the Headlines

Father of Massachusetts teen speaks after death of his murdered daughter. "I hurt just terribly for what happened, on both counts. I care deeply about [my daughter's ex-boyfriend and murderer] and what happens with him. He's got to face a very hard row. But I want to be open to forgiveness in as many situations as I can, and it's incredibly rough in this one. But it still is a question of understanding it to me, and something better coming of it."

Legal Matters

Federal bill supporting teen dating violence education proposed by advocates and parents. The Stop Abuse for Every Teen Act or SAFE Teen Act would authorize schools to use existing grant funding for teen dating violence prevention, highlight teen dating violence prevention as part of the comprehensive, community prevention program, support initiatives that collect data on dating violence and measure the impact of prevention programs, among others.

Research

Study from the University of California, San Francisco finds intimate partner violence to be associated with chronic health problems. Researchers found clear indications that exposure to IPV, particularly prolonged exposure, hastens biological processes that lead to illness and premature aging. "For the first time, we showed that there is lasting damage not just to these women's minds and bodies, but to their cells," says Janice Humphreys, PhD, the lead researcher of the team.

Opinions

Massachusetts district attorney underscores the challenge teen dating abuse poses to the entire community. "We all need to better understand how abuse manifests itself in a teen dating relationship. Parents, teachers, coaches, employers and clergy members need to be on the lookout for this behavior and reach out to young people when we see it."

Events

State Bar of Wisconsin to hold web seminar discussing legal challenges faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender victims of intimate partner violence. The seminar aims to give attendees a better understanding of how social forms of oppression such as heterosexism, homophobia, and transphobia create additional challenges for those in abusive relationships seeking supportive and protective services — and what can be done to construct legal protections for LGBT victims of intimate partner violence, especially in the case of minor children where legal custody status may not be clear.

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Categories: News

Teen Dating Abuse News: Christine Quinn heads domestic violence awareness push

07/15/2011

In the Headlines
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn spearheads push for domestic violence awareness. New York City lawmakers pushed for a new initiative that would encourage victims of domestic violence to report abuse through various strategies that raise public awareness of domestic violence. The program intends to make it easier for people to identify victims of domestic violence and make information on services available to more individuals who are in a dangerous relationship but fear getting help.

Research
History of animal abuse predictive of child abuse and intimate partner violence.According to scholars from the Advocacy and Resource Center in Sheridan, Wyoming, there is a direct correlation in the behavior of individuals that abuse animals and those who abuse children or their partners. The National District Attorney's Association shows that 71 to 83% of women entering domestic violence shelters reported that their partners also abused or killed the family pet.

Opinion
Massachusetts blogger argues that simply starting a conversation about domestic violence can save lives. "There's no evidence Lauren [Astley] was fearful about meeting her former boyfriend who is charged with her murder; an educational campaign can't change the past; and only a fool would believe a mantra will end domestic violence. But like talking about cancer, addiction and designated drivers, talking could save lives. We need to come together as a society and be candid. We need to repeat the message until it's part of our culture."

Events
Boston high school trains teens to educate peers about dating abuse. The murder of 18-year-old Lauren Astley only recently drew attention to the issue of teen dating violence for many, but in Melrose High School, awareness programming has been part of the school for over 11 years. Every year a group of students at Melrose High school are trained by the Melrose Alliance Against Violence about the tell- tale signs of an unhealthy relationship. Afterwards, they share that knowledge in classrooms and assemblies and sometimes intervene in unsafe situations.

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Categories: News

Inspired

07/12/2011

Youth Voices Network Member

I am a survivor who wants to empower other women by breaking the silence around abuse. I have already shared my own story of abuse numerous times, including on this blog, so I want to share a different story. Last year, I went to Ghana and worked with HIV/AIDS patients and expecting mothers at Buduburam Refugee Camp. Those women are the strongest women I have ever met. They not only shared their stories, they shed important insight on factors that contribute to the cycle of violence in developing countries.

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Categories: Voices

Teen Dating Abuse News: High school football star accused of murdering girlfriend

07/08/2011

In the Headlines
Massachusetts high school football star accused of murdering girlfriend. Nathaniel Fujita was charged with the murder of 18-year-old Lauren Astley of Wayland, MA. She was found Monday tossed into marshy land along Water Row in the western suburb. Authorities allege Fujita killed her Sunday evening, possibly in the garage of his family's home, and then dumped her body in Water Row. The district attorney's office has called the murder an extreme case of teen dating/domestic violence. You can find more coverage here.

Legal Matters
Virginia law allowing orders of protection for individuals in dating relationships goes into effect. Lawmakers have extended the ability to obtain an order of protection to "any" relationship that could cause harm. It applies to any relationship, whether that be married, dating or even in the workplace. The law also now includes any violent behavior that puts someone in danger of injury, sexual assault or death.

Research
A New Zealand university links heavy drinking to more frequent and severe aggression in relationships. A new study from University of Otago researchers finds that drinking by one or both partners increases levels of severity, anger and fear reported by victims of intimate partner violence. "The gendered nature of partner aggression, and the escalation of aggression by the involvement of alcohol are important considerations in the prevention of domestic violence," said one of the researchers.

Opinion
"Vagina Monologues" author reflects on what the legal drama around the former IMF leader says about society's position on rape, violence and gender. "The [Dominique Strauss-Kahn] scandal has rocked the world: it has brought into question issues of sex, power, race, class and gender. It is not simply a matter of winning or losing this particular case. The stakes are much higher. This case is a defining moment, a signifier of the direction we move in -- towards transformation or more abuse and loss."

Events
University of Maryland holds symposium discussing intimate partner violence among HIV/AIDS patients. The critical link between the HIV/AIDS epidemic and an epidemic of intimate partner violence (IPV) can be fatal to victims, yet is not fully understood by health and human service workers. The symposium, "Secret Killer in HIV: Gender Violence," helped the University launch an effort to build an inter-professional model to best manage and refer IPV cases, which involve families affected by HIV.

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Categories: News

Teen Dating Abuse News: Bronx abuse victim found.

07/01/2011

In the Headlines
Bronx abuse victim found in brush fire after boyfriend's suicide. The body of Jasmine Maxine Nunez, 22, was found by a firefighter putting out a brush fire in a Hudson Valley state park. Her boyfriend, Andres Ceballos, 26, fatally shot himself after trying to flee police in Virginia.

Legal Matters
Connecticut advocate lauds her state's movement on domestic violence protection legislation. "Policy makers in Connecticut are taking action. These new laws improve access to protective and restraining orders, provide better tools to law enforcement, toughen penalties for offenders and call for the development of a statewide law enforcement model policy. If we work together, Connecticut can offer victims the capacity for a much different ending."

Research
Harvard researchers find childhood bullies more likely to abuse wives or partners. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that men who recalled being frequent bullies in school were four times more likely to physically abuse their partner than those who reported never bullying in school, linking "bullying others at school and perpetration of IPV [intimate partner violence]."

Opinion
A mother considers the media environment in which her infant daughter will grow up."We have the shows our girls are watching like 16 and Pregnant, and Teen Mom that not only showcase dating violence, but rarely take the time to address the serious nature of the problem. Further demonstrating to our daughters how women feel trapped or they need to stay in an abusive or unhealthy relationship because they may have a child with someone."

Events
Florida women's group awards grants to groups that protect girls and women from violence. The Zonta Club of Bonita Springs, Inc. has awarded nearly $14,000 in grants to six local nonprofits working to protect area girls and women from violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking. 

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Categories: News