BOS and Haven House declare February Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

This Monday at the Board of Supervisors Meeting, Dr. Christine Bridges, Executive Director of Haven house went before the board to request special observance be given to the month of February in awareness of Teen Dating Violence.

“As we know or should know, there’s 1 in 12 teens that are experiencing dating violence, and those numbers could be higher, but they’re not reporting due to the lack of knowledge or lack of understanding that dating violence is taking place,” said Bridges, “so what we would like to do is raise awareness throughout the month of February by having events throughout the city for the population which we serve.”

When asked what events we can expect to see from Haven House specifically, Bridges replied, “This Saturday we will be hosting a Teen Violence Awareness Rally. We serve a 90 mile radius, so we will be going out to the high schools and different sheriff departments, courts, and agencies that will allow us to come in and talk about teen violence.”

Besides the adult staff and volunteers, Haven House gives opportunities to youth to make a difference as well. Said Bridges, “We’re partnering with Vicksburg High School and the Warren Central High School. We will be speaking with them and allowing them to come and speak to our youth as well.”

The Board voted unanimously to accept this proposal, and Board President Kelle Barfield read the proclamation as follows, “The Warren County Board of Supervisors does hereby proclaim February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in Warren County and urges all citizens to work to end dating violence.”

“We thank you all for this opportunity,” concluded Bridges.