Other groups estimate 1 in 3 teens experience abuse ranging from verbal to physical harm. Moeller, founder of the Spokane group Create Your Statement, has built curriculum since for teaching teenagers how to recognize danger signs and empower them to avoid unhealthy relationships.
The wheel highlights warning signs of abuse: isolation, peer pressure, anger or emotional abuse, social status, intimidation, threats, sexual persuasion and minimizing or denying. She also thinks misconceptions exist about who can become victims of dating abuse and domestic violence.
Long into a healthy marriage now, the year-old Moeller said she experienced dating abuse during her teen years. She described going from one destructive relationship to the next, eventually fleeing to escape life-threatening danger. It affects teens from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. Create Your Statement has reached more than 3, students with programs aimed at youth in grades seven to Moeller, who does some real estate work, mainly devotes her time to Create Your Statement.
She previously worked seven years in recovery support for domestic violence victims. Moeller developed RedFlag, a seven-week course for youth ages with tools to avoid unhealthy relationships and understand how to form healthy ones. RedFlag modules follow letters in the name. Teens are reminded they are valuable.
They have the right not to engage in a sexual relationship without being made to feel bad. They have the right to privacy, the right to hang out with friends when they want to, and not to be threatened emotionally, verbally or physically. Along with prevention, the nonprofit has focuses on leadership and character, while encouraging community volunteering.
