MONTGOMERY: Student ‘speaks out’ on dating violence

MONTGOMERY — On Friday, Feb. 11, at Montgomery’s Upper Middle School, students in the eighth grade participated in a program on teen dating violence.
   This is the first year New Jersey recognizes February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
   Realizing the importance of educating students on this matter, a Montgomery High School 10th grader, Nicole DeSario, designed an interactive seminar on the topic, entitled “Speak Out: A Workshop on Teen Dating Abuse.”
   Rutgers University’s SCREAM Theatre (Students Challenging Reality and Educating Against Myth) contributed to the effort by performing a skit representing teen relationship abuse. The presentation also included a video compilation by Nicole of popular songs, movies and other images identifying the prevalence of domestic violence in the media and teen desensitization to it.
   The program produced a positive reaction from the middle school students, educators, guidance counselors and administration.
   Assisting Nicole, was Sharon Zucker, SCREAM Theatre manager and education coordinator at the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at Rutgers University; William Robbins, principal of Montgomery’s Upper Middle School and New Jersey Sen. Linda Greenstein.
   With Nicole’s inspiration, Senator Greenstein is working to pass Senate Bill S2114 (Assembly A2920), which will require students in grades 7 to 12 to have similar age-appropriate education added to their health curriculum beginning in the 2011-12 school year.
   Nicole is working to expand the project in other schools and grade levels. To contact her for information on implementing a program in your school or to support Senate Bill S2114 and A2920, you can contact her at [email protected] or your local representative.