Rep. Klarides-Ditria Supports “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Teen Violence Awareness Campaign

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria and her colleagues today held a press conference at the state capitol to proclaim that there is never ever any excuse for domestic violence or dating abuse on Valentine’s Day, or any day.

Interval House held its annual “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Valentine’s Day press conference to recognize February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and to recommit themselves to the cause.  Members of Men Make a Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence™ (MMAD) joined legislators and concerned citizens to show their strong support.

Each year, more than 1.5 million high school teens report being physically abused in their dating relationships, and teens that experience dating abuse are also at a higher risk of engaging in unhealthy behaviors like alcohol and drug abuse, eating disorders and risky sexual activity, said Mary-Jane Foster, Interval House’s President and CEO.

Founded by Interval House in 2009, MMAD is comprised of dozens of community leaders, including: former state Representative Dr. William A. Petit, Jr.; Channel 8 News personalities Joe Furey and Rich Coppola; YMCA of Greater Hartford President Harold Sparrow; USA Track & Field Olympian Donn Cabral, and many more.  The group is dedicated to help end domestic violence and dating abuse by serving as role models and supporting Interval House in its mission to end all forms domestic violence and abuse.

Founded in 1977, Interval House is the largest agency in the state of Connecticut dedicated to preventing and breaking the cycle of domestic violence. Through direct and life-saving services for victims in 24 towns and cities both east and west of the Connecticut River, Interval House has made a positive difference in the lives of nearly 250,000 people (mostly women and children) who have experienced psychological and physical abuse at the hand of a domestic or intimate partner.

For help call or text the 24-Hour Statewide Hotline: 1-888-774-2900

Rep. Klarides-Ditria delivered the following remarks during the event:

Being a teenager is difficult. Trying to find the right balance between time with friends and family vs getting school work done and more than likely working a part time job is hard.   And let’s face it, when you add a relationship on top it can be stressful.

It can, and should, also be a positive experience, especially when you find someone who shares your affections.  Sure, young love comes with tough moments and the inevitable breakups, and they are painful. BUT having someone to confide in, someone who loves and supports you, who builds you up instead of bringing you down can be transformative.

I want to let you in on a not-so-secret thing we all seem to forget: relationships are hard.  They take work.  It’s not all rainbows and butterflies like social media wants us to believe. Sometimes you look at your significant other and wonder “what was I thinking?”    Look, all the married women in the audience are shaking their heads!

Seriously, those silly moments, and more difficult discussions about finances, work, and school will happen, and so will disagreements. You may not see eye-to-eye on everything.  That’s okay!  How you and your partner deal with those moments is what really matters.

You can only laugh about something years later if you have a healthy relationship to begin with.  My parents had a wonderful relationship. They argued, sure, but they ALWAYS LOVED. They were quick to apologize when they were wrong and they showed our family what a supportive relationship looked like.

Unfortunately, children who are victims of trauma and abuse at a young age are more likely to abuse in their own relationships.

According to the U.S. Dept. Of Health and Human Services. “Children who witness or are victims of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse are at higher risk for health problems as adults. These can include mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. They may also include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, poor self-esteem, and other problems.”

Teen dating violence is a concern for every one of us in this room and that’s why we’re here to we can change this.  We must change this.

Children respond differently to abuse and trauma, and each of us has a healing role by being part of a positive support system for our teens.