Depicting their reality through art
Child and Family Center’s Domestic Violence program aims to empower teens with ‘A Night of Expression’ event
The Child and Family Center’s Domestic Violence program hosted ‘A Night of Expression’ Friday evening to inform and empower teens at the Savia Community Center.
The event ran as part of the program’s outreach for national Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
Students were encouraged to submit art to the center’s program, which runs out of Savia in Newhall, related to the topic.
Every year, approximately 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating
partner, according to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence website. The concern on behalf of minors is also compounded by studies that indicate 3-in-4 parents have never talked to their children about domestic violence.
The art submissions in film, photography and illustration/painting sought to depict the reality of teen dating violence, the winning efforts awarded through a donation by Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley.
“We hope they gain an awareness and an empowerment that comes through working with this topic,” Leah Parker, a youth prevention specialist and anti-DV advocate, said in a previous interview. “That way, they’re able to realize they don’t necessarily have to speak, but can have a voice through art and can bring an awareness through their talents.”
Looking to inform the youth, so they’re able to empower themselves and their peers, has been part of a concerted outreach effort by the center.
A persistent voice and presence by the center’s advocates have helped raise awareness, said Linda Davies, who oversees the center’s Domestic Violence program, and Friday’s event clearly illustrated the outreach efforts ongoing at the Savia Community Center.
“We’re in the schools now trying to help teenagers understand (how to identify warning signs and symptoms) and we’re also trying to help them help each other,” Davies said, “in seeing the signs and being able speak up about it.”