February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Have you talked to your teen about dating violence? The city of Santa Clarita, in partnership with the Child and Family Center’s Domestic Violence Program, presents a special one day showing of “A Walk in Their Shoes,” a traveling art exhibit to build awareness around teen dating violence. The exhibit will be on display today from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the First Floor Gallery at Santa Clarita City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd.
Four pairs of shoes have been painted to depict the stories of local teens who have experienced dating violence. “These shoes will be displayed on crates closer to the ground to give the effect that the viewer is ‘standing in the survivor’s shoes’ as they read about their story,” said Leah Parker of the Child and Family Center. A teen dating violence survivor and domestic violence advocate will be present to answer any questions visitors may have about teen dating violence and available local resources.
The “A Walk in Their Shoes” traveling display has already made visits to local high schools and College of the Canyons to help raise awareness about teen dating violence. According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, every year approximately 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner, and three out of four parents have never talked to their children about domestic violence.
For more details about the art exhibit, contact Leah Parker at leah.parker@childfamilycenter.org or call (661)259-8175. For information regarding other city art exhibits, visit SantaClaritaArts.com.
