By William Moore
Daily Journal
TUPELO – Young girls will learn what is acceptable dating behavior and how to avoid violence during a free workshop in early February.
The Love is Respect workshop will be held Friday, Feb. 3 from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the new police station on Front Street. It is free and open to girls ages 12-15.
“I know 12 might seem a little young for a dating violence workshop, but these girls might have friends who are a little older and they can share what they have learned,” said Sgt. Katarsha White of the Tupelo Police Department. “Studies show that one in three girls are victims of verbal, physical or emotional abuse in a dating relationship.
“If we don’t talk about it, then people start to accept it as the norm. If a mother is being abused, it teaches a son that that kind of behavior is OK. And it teaches the daughter that she should accept the abuse. And that is not right.”
White has offered the same information in the past in smaller settings. Since February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, she felt the need to expand to a larger workshop and take advantage of the large community room at the new police building.
There will be light refreshments served. While informative, the format will include games and activities to show the importance of the information being learned.
“Our goal is to give these young ladies the information they need so they can recognize an abusive relationship,” White said. “That way, if they are ever in that situation, or know someone in that situation, they will have the knowledge that there is help when they are ready to get out.”
The workshop is free but space is limited to 25 participants. Girls must be registered by Saturday, Jan. 28. For more information, contact Sgt. White at 662-871-7856 or call TPD at 841-6491.
william.moore@journalinc.com
