PCADV, PA Says NO MORE, and SWPA Says NO MORE host Engaging Youth: Working Across Generations to Prevent Dating Violence

Pittsburgh, PA–On Wednesday, November 18th, PCADV, PA Says NO MORE, and Southwest PA Says NO MORE hosted Engaging Youth: Working Across Generations to Prevent Dating Violence. Speakers included Dr. Elizabeth Miller from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Ben Atherton-Zemon from Voices of Men, and Daryl Fort from Mentors in Violence Prevention.

The full day symposium addressed vital and timely topics including the importance of discussing dating violence prevention early in adolescence, and creating safe spaces for kids to discuss difficult topics. Dr. Miller noted that homophobic teasing in adolescence is the single most important driver of sexual violence in high school. She also pointed out how vital messages about gender are in perpetuating dating violence.

Ben Atherton-Zemon addressed the audience via a fun, more light-hearted yet serious play that addressed sexual assault and consent, dating violence and domestic violence, objectification, and sexual harassment.

Daryl Fort closed out the symposium by work-shopping with the attendees on strategies for working with youth to prevent dating violence, including bystander intervention and media literacy, and how to start and maintain conversations with youth.