COLUMBIA, S.C. — February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and, based on statistics, this could impact someone you know.
“In fact, 1 in 3 teens in our community experience a form of unhealthy relationship before they are even adults,” Leah Wicevic with Sistercare said.
It’s a statistic that hits home for Teira Mack.
“For me, sexual coercion was probably the most impactful because I remember it and I remembered the backlash, I remember the feeling of confusion.”
It’s been decades since Mack experienced the trauma that she helps her clients through.
“I felt alone. I didn’t feel like I had a community. I didn’t have anyone I could get to and say 'hey, they’re doing this to me' without me having any backlash,” Mack said.
Now, as an advocate at the nonprofit Hush No More, she works with survivors of teen dating and domestic violence. It’s a job that can’t be accomplished without a village approach.
“And with this collaboration, as you saw today, there are a number of partners that stand ready and do this work every day.” Trevon Fordham, the director of Columbia’s Office of Violent Crime Prevention said. “We’re not just going to come in and focus on the gun violence, although gun violence is what most visible. There are other forms of violence here in the city of Columbia, and we’re going to combat all of it.”
The day after Valentine’s Day will be a show of love from the community.
“The Leap of Love event is being held on Thursday at 5:30 at Brookland Baptist Conference Center. February is teen dating violence awareness month, and we so often see teens in our community that experience dating violence,” Leah Wicevic said.
Mack said anyone can offer support to a teen in a bad dating situation when approaching this type of conversation using the acronym G.I.V.E.
“'G' is be gentle being gentle with them, saying okay I understand. 'I' is showing interest. 'V' is validate them and show value. 'E' is empower, encourage, all of those good E words. Really encourage them to be confident and to use their voice, to use the word NO,” Mack said.
The Leap of Love event is Thursday at 5:30 pm.