Over 38 years ago, in 1976, a dynamic coalition of Bay Area women gathered to found La Casa de las Madres, California’s first and the nation’s second shelter dedicated to women and children escaping domestic violence.
One in 10 San Francisco teens who are dating revealed experiencing physical violence at the hands of a partner over the previous 12 months. About one in three American youth between the ages of 14 and 20 say they have been a victim of physical, sexual, or emotional/psychological violence within a dating relationship, and nearly one in three acknowledge that they have committed violence toward a dating partner.
For the third year in a row, teens and community members of all ages will hear public service announcements about teen dating violence. The campaign encourages teens to call La Casa’s Teen Crisis Line if they or someone they know is being hurt, emotionally or physically. To date more than 35,000 youth have been reached by “Girls Got Each Others’ Backs!” in the 13 years of this campaign.
In partnership with the Wellness Centers in San Francisco’s public high schools, La Casa is also presenting Domestic Violence 101 workshops for teens which include warning signs, qualities of healthy relationships, and the supports available to those who need them. These workshops and resource tablings are also reaching youth through events at various community organizations throughout the month, and beyond.
La Casa serves as an essential safety net for local women, teens, and children: a refuge, an advocate, a strong voice against domestic violence. Let’s keep working together to have #MoreAwareness and #LessAbuse.
