Guest Post: Stephanie Nilva on Teen Dating Violence

Following yesterday's release on Teen Dating Violence and the Department of Education, today's guest post comes from Stephanie Nilva, Executive Director of Day One, which provides preventive workshops on domestic violence in the New York City Schools.

"From an advocate’s perspective, reducing relationship abuse among youth can seem like an insurmountable challenge.  To start with, few people know the problem exists, though young people experience intimate partner violence at roughly the same rates as adults. 

Statistics show that between twenty and thirty percent of teenagers are abused by a dating partner, and young people face their own unique obstacles to ending violent relationships.  Adults and youth lack awareness about the issue, and domestic violence remains hidden from the public eye.  Inexperienced and in their first relationships, young victims often feel as if they are the only ones experiencing abuse and may blame themselves for the violence – particularly when a controlling partner is reinforcing that message.  Further, youth are isolated from information and resources.  Those who do come forward for help often find providers unfamiliar with the needs of young people, such as organizations that address child care or employment assistance as opposed to school safety transfers or counseling specific to teenagers. Another obstacle to young people’s safety can be domestic violence laws, which were not designed envisioning the needs of young victims of domestic violence. 

That said, things are improving.  In July 2008, a breakthrough was achieved on behalf of youth in New York State.  Until then, youth and the LGBTQ population were largely barred from seeking legal protection in Family Court.  Confined to the criminal justice system for relief, teens often remained at risk rather than expose a peer to a criminal charge.  Day One took a lead role in 2007-08 educating legislators about the needs of young people denied the simplified court processes and access to justice that other individuals have in family court. After 20 years of advocacy, youth and same-sex partners are finally allowed access to the legal protections available in family court.  Day One is now working to raise awareness about the new law and assist a growing number of litigants.  During the Spring we will participate in training court personnel, who are already seeing growing numbers of young people and other victims taking advantage of the new protections available in family court.

Yet improved responses to domestic violence are not enough. Early prevention and intervention can protect young people throughout their lives.  Throughout New York City , Day One approaches prevention through our Community Education Program, which brings interactive workshops to hundreds of adolescents and teenagers each month in public schools and youth programs. We deconstruct messages young people have absorbed that increase their tolerance for violence, and discuss the impact of domestic violence on all elements of society. We educate youth about how to identify warning signs of abuse and how to obtain legal services for themselves or a friend in an abusive situation. Day One staff also trains caregivers, teachers and social service providers to give supportive, nonjudgmental guidance to youth who might disclose an abusive relationship.

For youth who have experienced intimate partner abuse, our Legal Services Program provides free, confidential and bilingual advice, information and representation in family courts to young people seeking orders of protection and other family-related orders.  To support parenting teen clients, Day One helps these victims access public benefits and housing. We also advocate with police and district attorneys for victims seeking protective orders in the criminal courts, a service that distinguishes Day One from most legal services providers. As an additional service we speak with employers about enforcing protective orders or with school principals about building safe learning environments and obtaining school safety transfers. Because young people are unfamiliar with social service systems, Day One often arranges meetings with young clients in their schools or communities to reduce barriers to accessing assistance.

Despite the challenges, reducing intimate partner abuse among youth is a possibility.  Strategies that take a comprehensive approach – engaging courts, schools and community – can address the immediate and long term needs of young people experiencing or at risk of intimate partner abuse."

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