By Shawn P. Brodie
BUNKER HILL - More than 100 students from local schools, including 12 representatives from Staunton High School, gathered at Brittany Trap Range Banquet Facility in Bunker Hill to attend the Preventing Teen Dating Violence Workshop, Thursday, March 18.
The students were first introduced to Terry Lilley, an activist for FlipYa Strategies located in Wilmington, Delaware. Lilley and the students discussed several topics about abuse and abusive relationships. He told the students of the different types of abuse, which included: emotional abuse- jealousy and threats, verbal abuse- yelling and screaming, and physical abuse- actual hitting or kicking.
He explained to everyone that dating violence is cyclical. He proceeded to explain that the relationship starts off on a good foot, and then progressively gets worse and worse. He also referred to an abusive relationship as a tripod, with each of the three legs representing a different form of abuse.
After a short lunch break, the students once again gave him their attention. Lilley presented the students with two challenges they should try to achieve. The first challenge was to learn. The students should listen and understand all they can about abuse, what causes it, and how to prevent it or help others who are involved with it. The other was to teach. He pointed out that teens have the power to help others.
Lilley’s mix of humor, seriousness, and intriguing facts made for an interesting an entertaining demonstration. Judging by the students’ reactions, it seemed all had a great time. As he concluded, the students met Vicki Crompton-Tetter. She immediately began talking about her daughter Jenny, who was tragically murdered when she was 15 as a result of an abusive relationship.
Crompton-Tetter’s recollection of the events that led up to her daughter’s death created a somber mood throughout the room. The students viewed a short film, which included news coverage of her daughter’s death. After the film concluded, the room was completely silent. The silence was broken only by the sobs of a number of students.
Lilley’s positive comments and this mother’s bravery left everyone with a sense of commitment. A sense that suggested to all that they can make a difference. The presentations gave inspiration to the students. That inspiration was that we all have the power to change dating violence so that