I can't get these to link on the page, so here are two interesting news stories currently floating around out there.

Two Oregon Middle School Boys Charged with Sexual Assault: This is an highly controversial news article.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1185249323232820.xml&coll=7

Read about the effects of abuse on pets, and how organizations are trying to help.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/07/program_for_pets_opens_doors_for_abuse_victims/?p1=email_to_a_friend

TASA Mission Statement:

"We are Teens dedicated to raising awareness to stop sexual assault and dating violence. We are committed to becoming part of the solution and not remaining part of the problem."

The TASA Peer Educators will work within their schools and communities to raise awareness about dating violence, sexual assault, and healthy relationships. Each group will conduct at least one awareness project that is decided on by group members. Peer Educators will also recieve training on relationship violence, and training on how to help and educate their peers about relationship violence.

Peer Educators will have the opportunity to participate in monthly meetings, community and school awareness events, and SAFE&SAVVI presentations in schools. There will also be leadership positions available in each TASA group. Group members will also have the opportunity to meet and make friends with TASA Peer Educators from Fauquier and Culpeper Counties.

More information will be given at the group meetings. If you need directions, or get lost call (540) 729-0092.

Signs of an Abusive Relationship

There is no magic number of signs to determine if your partner is abusive. If your relationship has even one of these characteristics it may be abusive.

*Your partner pushes, hits, or slaps you.

*Your partner embarrasses you by calling you names.

*Your partner puts you down, or insults you.

*Your partner threatens you. They threaten to kill you, to kill themselves, or someone you care about.

*Your partner threatens to spread rumors about you if you do not give in or do what they want.

*Your partner forces you into unwanted sexual activity.

*Your partner pushes you to be in a very serious, or very exculsive relationship, too quickly.

*Your partner keeps you from going out with, talking to, or seeing friends or family.

*Your partner always has to know where you are, who you are with, and what you are doing. They control when and where you can go out.

*Your partner does not listen when you say no.

*Your partner does not respect the limits or boundaries you put on your relationship.

*Your partner constantly blows up, or gets very angry at little things.

*Your partner does not take responsibility for their faults. They blame you or other people.

*Your partner does not allow you to make any decisions in the relationship.

*Your partner thinks that violence is a good way to solve problems.

*Your partner cannot express their emotions verbally, but acts out their emotions physically, or aggressively.

*Your partner acts like the abuse is not a big deal, denies they are hurting you, or blames you for their actions.

You are not responsible for another person's actions. They must make their own choice. If you are being abused, it is never your fault. If you need to talk, SAVVI's hotline number is 1-888-54-SAVVI. 

I have the right:

To ask for a date.
To refuse a date.
To suggust an activity.
To refuse an activity.
To have friends and space separate from my partner.
To have my own feelings and to express them.
To have my values and rights respected.
To tell my partner when I need affection.
To refuse attention or affection.

I have the responsibility:

To determine my limits and values.
To respect the limits of others.
To not violate the limits of others.
To communicate clearly and honestly.
To be considerate.
To ask for help when I need it.

From the Texas Council of Family Violence: Dating Violence Anti-Victimization Program

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!

One in four women and one in seven men are affected by sexual assault. If you know someone who has experienced sexual assault, you can help.

1. Listen. Let the victim talk about how they are feeling. Empathize with their feelings. Empathy means that you understand that they feel the way they do. You do not need to know exactly how they feel.
2. Believe. Victims of sexual assault may be worried that nobody will believe they were assaulted. Let them talk and do not ask questions that might be interpreted as doubting their story.
3. Reassure. Let the victim know the assault was not their fault, they did not deserve to be assaulted. Remind them that you are there for support.
4. Inform. Provide the victim with factual information about where they can go for help. Help them go over possible choices and courses of action.
5. Support. No matter what the victim chooses to do, be there for them, even if you do not agree. Sexual assault takes away a victim's power and control. When the victim makes their own choices their power and choice is returned.