Dating violence forum part of Youth Week
On Tuesday, some young people got a chance to learn about being on the job. Today Youth Week continued with forums at high schools which dealt with a range of issues from jobs and careers to conflict resolution to being safe at school. News Five visited Edward P. Yorke High School where the students took a hard look at a problem that affects far too many young people: dating violence.
About sixty percent of all reported rapes worldwide are committed by someone the victim knows. Up to eighty percent of teenage rape victims know their assailants. In Belize it is not known just how many of our young people have fallen victim to sexual assault but it is believed the number is high.
Pearleen Young, Youth Development Officer, Belize City North
“I think that a lot of it is not reported and it is very, very common. From the discussions we were getting with the young people, we realize that they know of friends, some of them probably have had it as personal as themselves getting into situations where they are saying “no” and they are not being heard.”
But a one-day youth congress did give high school students in Belize City the opportunity to speak out against date rape and violence in relationships. The issues were discussed at length at Edward P. Yorke High School.
Candice Pitts
“I think it is an important topic because people do not know what is dating violence like they do not come forward and tell. But if they are educated about it they would come forward and tell.”
Kenisha Stuart
“I expect the person to respect me, not to think that because we are on a date we are going to kiss or whatever else but to respect me, to want to know what I think and I respect him and I want to know what he thinks.”
Rodney Waight
“I would say after a long, a good let’s say three month relationship or something like that.”
Q: “Really? We all are of the opinion that men are aggressive but you are saying that you guys are not. You would prefer to wait and get to know someone?”
Rodney Waight
“Well that is some of us because you have others that on the first night they meet they already want to have something.”
The students were given handouts on date rape and what they should do if they ever encounter a dangerous situation.
Pearleen Young
“The myth is that you say “no” but you mean “yes” and I think that they need to realize that is just a myth and that they have the power to control themselves and to show the other persons that they will not be violated.”
The event was organized by the Young Men’s Christian Association as part of activities for Youth Week.
Youth activities elsewhere in the country included a youth and parent forum in Orange Walk, a Youth and Police Forum in Corozal and an environmental talk and clean up in San Ignacio and Benque. Tomorrow there will be a Youth Town Meeting in Belize City, a Cultural Night in San Ignacio, tree planting at the new Dangriga Hospital and a radio talk show on Estereo Tu Y Yo broadcast in Orange Walk and Corozal.
