Wednesday, February 7, 2024 - County Commissioners declared February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month for Sequoyah County during their weekly meeting Monday at the courthouse.
Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department Investigator Cindy Smith approached commissioners with the proclamation stating, “What many don’t realize is that it doesn’t start by being hit, shoved, or slapped. We want to create awareness county-wide so the knowledge of teen dating violence is identifiable.”
In 2010, Congress declared the month of February National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month thanks largely to the efforts initiated in 2004 by the American Bar Association.
The call to end teen dating violence was formally recognized in 2006 and 2007 when both Houses of Congress declared the first week in February National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.
Smith’s goal of educating as many youth and families as possible regarding the topic begins with learning the early signs of teen dating violence.
“Controlling behaviors is where it starts things such as monitoring communication, demanding access to social media passwords, tracking whereabouts, and attempting to manipulate a partner's perception,” Smith added.
In addition to the proclamation, Commissioners approved an agreement to work on private property by and between HJS Investments and Sequoyah County District #1.
Approval was also granted for the purchase of a truck, per bid 2024-8, from Banner Fire Equipment for the Gans Fire Department.
Sequoyah County Emergency Management also received approval to apply for an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), and the Sequoyah County Sheriff's Department was given the green light to apply for the Victim of Crimes Act (VOCA) grant.
Lindsie Dyer, KXMX Staff Writer
For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com
Comments