Dating Violence Forum to be Held at Gardendale City Hall

CITY OF GARDENDALE & GARDENDALE POLICE DEPTARTMENT HOST FORUM

Dating violence affects approximately one in three teens in America. Every year,
nearly 1.5 million high school students are physically abused by their dating partner.
Most of the time, family and friends are unaware of the violence and only 33% of
teens ever tell anyone.

The City of Gardendale and the Gardendale Police department are hosting a
community-wide program titled, “Keeping Our Children Safe from Dating Violence”. This
free-to-the-public one-hour presentation will give an overview of the following topics:

Recognizing the red flags of a controlling partner
Knowing how to respond & where help is available
The importance of promoting healthy, safe and respectful relationships

This presentation is specifically designed for parents of teens and college-age children.
Teen relationship violence often goes unrecognized by parents. 78% of college students
want to help if a friend is facing dating violence, but 58% do not know how.

This program will assist parents in understanding the subtle signs of unhealthy
relationships. There will be a question-and-answer session and experts will be
on hand to answer your questions privately, if desirable.

“Keeping Our Young Adults Safe from Dating Violence”

When: Tuesday, April 25^th, 2023

Where: Gardendale City Hall – 925 Main Street, Gardendale, AL.

Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Lt. Brad Cotton from the Gardendale police department and Bill Casaday, Executive
Assistant to Mayor Stan Hogeland are leading this public service for Gardendale friends
and neighbors. Police officers will be present.

Lt. Cotton said “We want neighbors to understand the realities of domestic and dating
violence; what resources are available to help, how to recognize the red flags of dating
or relationship violence in the workplace or in a teen, a friend or relative, how to respond
appropriately when someone may need help, and information on programs to help to
stop it before it starts.”

For more information, you can reach out to:

Susann Montgomery-Clark, President

Megan Montgomery Foundation to prevent domestic violence, Inc.

205-568-7474

[email protected]