Newsroom

Did you know that 10 percent of District high school students experience dating violence? This alarming figure is one of the reasons OAG works year-round to teach thousands of teens and young people about consent and healthy relationships, the warning signs of abuse, and how they can get help if they need it.

In recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and in response to increased requests for school trainings, our office hosted a #RelationshipGoals Teen Summit in February to teach D.C. students healthy relationship habits. Nearly 100 people attended this event that included discussion sessions on emotional, cyber, physical, and sexual abuse. Students tested their knowledge during a quiz game where they won prizes and local sporting event tickets provided by EventsDC.

This unique event was led by students who were trained prior to the Summit on the signs of dating violence and healthy habits. Students steered the discussion in unexpected and enlightening ways, even exploring how consent given in one instance cannot be used to assume consent for future situations. They talked about how clear communication is key to obtaining consent every time, no matter what their previous behavior with their partner might have been. Empowering students to be peer messengers is a powerful way for young people to spread the word in their schools and neighborhoods. Don’t just take our word for it—hear directly from some of the Summit participants:

• “I have never seen government come out into the community and elevate the voices of youth for an issue they are suffering through.” - Community member
• “My child isn’t dating but giving them the tools now about what dating violence is and the warning signs is important”- Parent of a teen
• “Hearing about someone who is my age who has been through domestic violence is important.” -Student
• “I learned to feel free to reach out to your friends and have respect for what they are going through.” –Student
• “I understand that emotional abuse is bad in a relationship, but what do I do if I see it at home? All I’m doing is repeating what I’ve already seen.” – Student

OAG would like to extend a special thanks to the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Break the Cycle, Becky’s Fund, and The Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project for helping us train students to be healthy relationship ambassadors.

If you'd like to request an OAG training on consent and healthy relationships, contact OAGCommunity@dc.gov.

OAG employs data-driven initiatives to help support District youth and keep them on the right path. In 2019, OAG attorneys conducted 15 presentations for over 1,300 District students, teaching them about consent and healthy relationships and how to get help if they need it.