Get Some R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Bullied? Harassed? Pressured? Sexually intimidated?
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month. On Monday, I was at a news conference called by R.E.S.P.E.C.T.², and hosted by St. Alberts Schools in Council Bluffs. R.E.S.P.E.C.T.² is a charity that uses educational theater to helps kids challenged by the issues of bullying, peer pressure and harassment.
To raise awareness of these issues and R.E.S.P.E.C.T.²′s services, an advertising campaign, with design and messaging collaboration between dd|a and students at St. Albert, has been rolled out on billboards and radio (Channel 94.1FM).
This is timely with the Lindsay Ann Burke Act (LB64) being considered by the Nebraska Legislature. It is appalling that more than 10% of high school females have experienced dating violence in the last twelve months and more than 12% have reported being pressured into having sex.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.² provides an amazing array of educational and support services. We hope that our design contribution helps their efforts with Omaha teens.
Written by Stuart
David Day | Associates
About the Author: Stuart isn't often heard divulging his shady history. This, unfortunately, is not one of those times.
February 5th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
YOU are the best!!
(Love the picture of the Golden Retriever, I have Oscar, also a GR!!!!)
Patricia
February 5th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
The thoughtful and inclusive work done by dd|a is so appreciated by R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2! dd|a has been the design partner on the campaign the last two years — and has really tried to have teens direct the overall look of our visuals. Teen generated, professionally polished is often how we describe it.
After the press conference on Tuesday, Patricia and I accompanied one of our previous year’s teen participants to collectively testify before the Unicameral’s Education Committee regarding LB 64. The resounding voice of proponents to the bill was encouraging. Yes, the campaign is especially timely this year.
Thank you for this post, Stuart. The dd|a blog is always fun to read, from social issues to Daffy Duck!
July 22nd, 2009 at 10:28 am
Thank you Stuart. My niece had been a victim of TDV. It had gone on for sometime and her family never knew until she was beat so badly she need to see a DR.
As the parent of a child who was bullied so mercilessly that at 8 y/o she wanted to “hurt herself so she would not have to go to school”, you realize that patterns of abuse can begin at a very young age.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2′s programing takes on all aspects of abuse, bullying, relational aggression, teen dating violence, cutting. They role model pro-social behaviors for preschoolers on up to college age and how to set and protect their boundaries and conflict resolution.
Thank you for your contribution and support of R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2′s programming.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:04 am
This is sad and humbling. It reflects that the work of R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2 is so vital. We wish you and your family well, and hope that R.E.S.P.E.C.T.2′s work can help prevent similar instances for all of our children and youth. Best wishes, Stuart.
December 11th, 2009 at 9:54 am
This is really powerful!!