This week, we're talking about why dating and domestic abuse occur.
This is Jessica Skultety, Community Outreach Associate at Safe+Sound Somerset. We are Somerset County New Jersey’s lead domestic violence organization, providing safety, hope and healing to survivors for 41 years.
When 1 out of 3 teens experiences dating abuse before high school graduation, it’s all of our responsibility to work together to end abuse once and for all. The Ask Ava series, developed by teens in our SPEAK Teen Leadership Camps, is designed to connect with and educate teens and those that care about them, about teen dating abuse and healthy relationships. We'll be answering this week's question with a deeper look here on our podcast.
Today's question from local teens is: Why does abuse happen?
Domestic abuse and dating abuse are based on gaining power and control over another person, on purpose. There are many reasons why people abuse others. Besides witnessing abuse in their own families, abusers may have been bullied themselves at some point in their lives. They may believe they have the right to be in control of their dating partner or married partner, and that their needs matter most because of what they've got through.
Remember, we can have empathy for abusers and understand what they may have gone through in their lives, but that never makes abusive or bullying behavior okay or justified. This is a still choice that someone makes to treat another person a certain way. It is never the target's fault. Call or text the Safe+Sound Somerset hotline at 866-685-1122 for more information and support. And, visit our website at www.safe-sound.org.
Thank you for listening today. Join us next time here on Ask Ava.