Local WFISD students aim to educate and prevent teen dating violence

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - In the United States one in three teens will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before becoming adults.

A trio of students taking the WFISD Career Education Center’s mental health practicum class are taking what they learned in the classroom to educate and spread awareness on this topic.

Gevin Dickerson is one of the trio of students and he said there are misconceptions about dating violence among teens.

“People don’t really think it can happen among teenagers. They think these relationships aren’t mature enough. just because they’re a kid [they think] violence can’t happen in these relationships but it does happen,” Dickerson said.

Dickerson went on to add that there is not enough being done by schools nationwide to educate students about what a healthy relationship is.

“There’s hardly any talk about what to do if you’re ever caught in these situations, where you can turn to. I mean the bare minimum there’s not even that. There are no posters saying outlets you can reach out to if you’re experiencing this kind of violence,” Dickerson said.

Darbelyn Woodruff is the second of the trio of students. She said this issue is something that she’s seen the painful impacts of first hand.

“I have had quite a few friend’s siblings go through teen dating violence. I’ve seen how somebody so young could go through so much trauma in one fell swoop, just based on the relationship they choose to be in,” Woodruff said.

Dallas Butler is the final student of the trio. He said if a teen is involved in abuse they need to reach out to a trusted adult rather than a friend.

“[You need to talk to] someone that is experienced. I think a big problem with talking with friends is they haven’t gone through life, as much as an adult who has gone through relationships and has gone through experiences that could be similar,” Butler said.

Community Trainer Kiawa Martinez coordinates First Step’s Battering Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) across a twelve-county area. She believes the work to end teen dating violence has to begin with having difficult conversations in schools with educators, administrators and students like Gevin, Darbelyn and Dallas.

“We want to make sure we are talking to these kids because it starts there. Preventative work is so important. This is when they’re learning what a relationship is. We want to make sure we’re giving the tools to the teachers, the principals and the counselors so that if they don’t know what to do maybe there’s someone that can help them. We’re here to help in any way that we can,” Martinez said.

If a teen needs help with abuse they’re going through, the First Step of Wichita Falls office number is (940)723-7799. They also have a 24-hour hotline number at (877)-701-7233.

Another resource that teens can use if they need help is the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline - (866)-331-9474.