wort parliament: Domestic Violence Awareness

Friday, October 12, 2012

Domestic Violence Awareness | BHS Devil's Advocate

Michael Seleman

10/5/12

???All Burlington High School students enrolled in the Health and Wellness course will be attending periodic presentations from guest speaker, Colleen Armstrong, during their health class in the week of Columbus Day. Armstrong has already met with these students this previous week concerning the topic of dating violence.

??? Armstrong is a member of the REACH Beyond Domestic Violence organization which focuses mainly on issue of dating violence and abuse.

???According the organization?s official website, they are committed to, ??advancing the safety, healing and empowerment of those who experience domestic or relationship violence through direct services and education while promoting social justice for individuals and families of all backgrounds.?

???In other words, REACH?s main concern is the safety and education of those who may be exposed to domestic violence. It was for this reason that the Burlington High School Health Department decided that it would be beneficial to bring a REACH representative to the school.

???Armstrong?s purpose during her time here at BHS is to inform health students of the dangers of domestic violence and how they may be able to help others with such a situation. On Tuesday and Thursday of the two weeks, Armstrong will be approaching her audience with several different messages and activities developed by the REACH program.

????My goal is just to help the health instructors here at BHS explain to the student body how dangerous domestic violence can be,? said Armstrong. ?By informing students about these dangers they may be less prone to them and may even be able to help peers with a similar situation.?

???Health instructors, Mr. Jackling and Mrs. Doughty, are the ones mainly responsible for Armstrong?s presence here at BHS. The idea at hand is that students in their sophomore year of highschool or older will be looking into relationships or may have done so already.

????I think that it will be very beneficial to the students to here from an expert about this topic,? said Jackling. ?It will definitely give them to make more informed decisions throughout the course of their social life.?

???Armstrong ?seems to be having a significant effect on BHS students during her times here so far. Her appearances in the last week have seemed to really impact the lives of several students already.

????At first I thought that this program would be completely irrelevant to me,? said BHS sophomore Dillon Owens. ?But I soon realized that someone I know may be showing several of the symptoms of being involved in an abusive relationship. I guess she?s [Armstrong] here for a reason.?