The Retreat Fights Back Against Teen Dating Violence

Violence against women is often born early. 

To that end, the Retreat, an agency that provides help and a lifeline to battered women, has been raising awareness about teen dating abuse.

President Barack Obama officially declared February, 2014 National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, according to the Retreat.

On the East End, the Retreat's Teen Leadership Project helps get kids involved with teen violence prevention.   

According to the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, 80 percent of teens say they know someone who has been controlled by a partner, and 60 percent say they know someone who has been physically abused, Retreat staff said.  

This February, those involved in the Teen Leadership program hosted a table at Harbor Frost in Sag Harbor, made presentations to community organizations, participated in Wear Orange Day on Feb. 11, held a workshop with the East Hampton swim Ttam, and organized an educational event called “Love You Awareness Day” at Pierson Middle School.

And on Thursday, the Retreat Teen Leadership Project will be participating in a global effort to rise and dance for justice.  

The Neo-Political Cowgirls have coordinated a place for people to gather together in the hopes of joining with activists around the world for One Billion Rising For Justice at Bay Street Theater of Sag Harbor.

The One Billion Rising For Justice campaign comes after the event last year when one billion activists in 207 countries and territories joined in together to rise, strike, and dance,  staging "the biggest mass action in human history, to demand an end to violence against women and girls," according to the Retreat.

Those interested in performing the global dance should meet at Bay Street Theatre at 5:30 p.m. for rehearsal.  

Lynn Blue and Klyph Black will be joining the event, as well as Jewlee Trudden from InCircles.  Participants will share readings, music and dance to raise awareness and support for The Retreat’s domestic violence services.