‘It takes a village’: Connecticut domestic violence agency shares prevention tips for teens

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — It’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and the domestic violence agency Interval House is raising awareness.

Leaders gathered at CT State Capital Community College in Hartford to discuss domestic violence prevention for teenagers.

The key to preventing dating violence, they said, is to teach the youth what a healthy relationship looks.

“There should be respect, respect of one’s voice, and allowance for personal self-advocacy, the ability to say no and have boundaries,” Yvonne Alston, the vice chair of the agency, said.

As far as an unhealthy relationship, organizers said that isolation could be a sign.

“Grades go down, the friends go away, you no longer play sports, you are isolating, you are only with one other person,” President and CEO of Interval House Mary-Jane Foster said. “If parents knew it, they could see it because it is very easy to see, and there’s one person completely controlling another.”

Interval House reported that violent dating behaviors often start between grades six and 12.

The agency said that they have been growing their partnerships in the community to reach children and bring down domestic violence numbers in the state.

The theme for Thursday’s conversation was “It takes a village,” a call for adults to step in and help the youth to avoid abusive relationships.

According to Foster, living in a violent home can lead to emotional trauma, making it more likely for them to become abusers or even victims.

“I think the most important thing is not perpetuating this toxic behavior,” Brennden Colbert, a board member with Interval House, said. “I don’t want anybody to feel that somehow this is okay or they have to normalize it, because it’s not.”

If you know any youth in an abusive relationship you can contact Interval House at (860) 838-8467.