While every relationship, platonic or romantic should be based on communication and respect, sometimes it’s not all that simple. In some cases, respect becomes disrespect, private is made public and love turns violent.
Claudia Sandez is the education coordinator at The Safe Center LI, Inc. in Bethpage. Established in 2014 through the merger of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CADV) and the Coalition Against Child Abuse & Neglect (CCAN), the nonprofit profit organization serves victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, child abuse and human trafficking.
“The Safe Center offers a broad spectrum of services from counseling to housing, from advocacy to referrals, a 24 hour hotline, etc. through a highly trained, nurturing and compassionate staff of professionals well qualified to provide the highest level of services to enhance the recovery of trauma victims and their non-offending family members,” said Sandez, who visits Long Island schools, workplaces, libraries and homes to teach lessons on topics including healthy relationships, consent, bystander intervention and gender norms. “I give these presentations either in classrooms or as state mandated trainings for teachers and other professionals.”
One of the great debates of decades past, is whether or not technology is a blessing or a curse. In terms of the dating universe, it has not been all that helpful.
While media has played a role in glorifying violence and molding young teens minds into believing how they should look and behave for years through magazines, television and movies, when asked about her views on social media in the dating world, Sandez said it’s “a mixed bag.”
“Technology can blur boundaries since it makes constant communication the new norm,” said Sandez, noting that social media has made it easier to connect with people, but could also create pressures that didn’t exist before.“For instance, having a person feel like they have to post their relationship status early on, even if they’re not ready or if you have an overly jealous partner, they may respond negatively when friends post on your page.”
Other forms of abuse include sexual and psychological abuse. According to Sandez, sexual abuse can be teens “forcing their partner to have sex before they are ready or even manipulating or making threats to get sex.”
“Tampering with any form of your partner’s birth control is considered sexual abuse as well,” she said of the extreme measures some people will take to maintain control. “Psychological abuse is similar to emotional abuse, but while emotional and verbal abuse include demeaning or insulting comments, psychological abuse can be more subtle such as isolating you from friends and family but telling you it is ‘for your own good.’”
And as much as adults can help in these situations, Sandez has found that teens very often seek help from their peers rather than safe adults.
“We feel that teachers, parents and youth should all be informed with help-seeking techniques. Once they have asked for help, or you notice they need help, be prepared to provide resources to organizations like The Safe Center, or websites like loveisrespect.org or Teens Ending Abuse,” she said. “Being present and supportive are the best things we can do in these situations.”
Another supportive organization is The Partner Project, a nonprofit 501(c)3 charity that works to end the silence associated with relationship, domestic and dating violence through education, training, research and responsible action. It also promotes the importance of healthy relationships, personal safety and improved quality of life for those who suffer in silence. Teresa Aprigliano, Ed.D, RN is a cofounder and COO of the organization.
“The Partner Project focuses on the identification of unhealthy relationship patterns and the identification of healthy relationships, boundary setting and pro-active bystander interventions,” said Aprigliano, noting that the organization’s programs are developmentally-age appropriate for middle school, high school, and college aged students and work places.
The list of ways to abuse someone continues to grow, and it is a long list. Aside from physical and emotional abuse, teens also rely on cyber-abuse to hurt their partner via all forms of technology. Financial abuse and academic abuse are also forms of abuse, and while they are lesser known, they can be very costly and devastating to a young adult.
Aprigliano recommends that although it may be difficult on both sides—the victim and parent or guardian—the best course of action is to talk with someone immediately.
“If it’s a young adult or friend, seek out a trusted adult in the form of a parent, guardian, teacher, guidance counselor or trusted family member,” said Aprigliano.
In the case where the parent or adult is looking for advice on the situation with their teen, Aprigliano said to contact school personnel as they have resources and contacts they can refer the adult to.
“On a long-term basis, it is important to use daily life as teachable moments,” she said. “Open and honest discussions are vital to the beginning of breaking the silence and understanding the issues and creating long-term social change.”
For more information on The Safe Center LI, call 516-465-4700 or visit www.tscli.org. To learn more about The Partner Project, visit www.thepartnerproject.com.
