Hamptons Students Step Up To Raise Awareness And Prevent Violence Among Teens

February was a special month for The Retreat, a Long Island domestic violence services agency. First, President Barack Obama declared February 2014 National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Then they held their Teen Leadership Project where several East End students participated in a series of events to raise awareness and prevent violence among teens.

The NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence notes that 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.

The Retreat Teen Leaders were involved with multiple awareness-building community events throughout the month. They hosted a table at Harbor Frost in Sag Harbor, made presentations to community organizations, participated in Wear Orange Day, held a workshop with East Hampton Swim Team, and organized an educational event called “Love You Awareness Day” at Pierson Middle School.

The final The Retreat Teen Leadership Project activity is One Billion Rising For Justice at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor on Thursday, February 27. The global effort to rise and dance for justice is open to all. The Neo-Political Cowgirls organized the Hamptons event to give Long Island residents an opportunity to join together with activists around the world and demand an end to violence against women and girls. The happening will feature readings, music and dance in support of The Retreat’s domestic violence services.

If you plan on performing during the global dance, meet at Bay Street Theatre on February 27 at 5:30 p.m. for a rehearsal. If you would rather support One Billion Rising For Justice from the audience, the performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

Bay Street Theatre is located at 1 Bay Street in Sag Harbor. For more information about the One Billion Rising For Justice Hamptons event visit www.onebillionrising.org. For more information about The Retreat visit www.theretreatinc.org.