In this issue:

•1.)    February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

•2.)    Maria's Story: A Teen Client Benefits from the Project's Services

•3.)    Texas Advocacy Project joins Facebook and Twitter!


February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
This Valentines Day Celebrate Healthy Teen Relationships

For the first time, our leaders in Congress and on Capital Hill are proclaiming February to be teen dating violence awareness and prevention month.

Vice President Joe Biden, author of the Violence against Women Act (VAWA), stated, "After fifteen years of working to end domestic violence, we have learned that teens are not immune from abuse in relationships. Teen dating violence is all too common, and ends up leading to vicious and unhealthy cycles for years to come. Our responsibility - as parents, teachers, mentors, and community leaders - is to guide our young people towards respectful relationships free from harassment and abuse; teach them that it's ok to walk away from a bad situation; and encourage them to speak out when they see a friend in trouble."

Here in Texas, the first state to pass a law requiring teen dating violence policies in every school, Governor Rick Perry will make a similar proclamation.

As teens voices erupt across Texas against interpersonal violence, it is important to remember that teens have rights too! Texas Advocacy Project's Teen Justice Initiative has been providing FREE and CONFIDENTIAL legal services to teens in abusive relationships for four years, the first and only program of its kind in Texas. Let the teens in your life know to spread the word: healthy relationships are built on respect, and if they have questions about their rights, call our TEEN/FAMILY VIOLENCE LEGAL LINE 1-800-374-HOPE.

Maria's Story: A Teen Client Benefits from the Projects Services

Maria met Juan when she was just 16 years old. It was spring time and she was young and thought she was in love. After they began dating he convinced her to run away with him. Her family was heartbroken and disappointed. In anger they told her she was not welcome back at home so she should marry him. Cast away from her family, Maria felt like she had no choice. Juan had successfully isolated her from her family and the abuse began. Juan would slap Maria when they argued, and forced her to become pregnant. Juan and Maria moved to another town. When she tried to enroll herself in the new high school, he followed her and made her come back home.  When their daughter Julia was born, something changed in Maria. She was able to make a plan to get back home to her parents' house. Juan followed. He would yell outside her window, watch her house, and call her repeatedly. The final straw was when Juan began constantly harassing Maria on a stolen cell phone. Maria finally had enough and called our Family Violence Hotline. She was quickly referred to the Teen Justice Initiative and obtained a 2 year protective order to keep Juan away from her and keep her safe.

Maria was then referred to the Assisted Pro Se Program. Despite her young age, Maria is more than capable of filing her own paperwork, especially now that she has been to court once before with her Teen Justice attorney. Maria enrolled herself back in her original high school and is doing very well.  Because of the abuse Maria suffered, her attorneys are also helping her self-petition for citizenship under the Violence Against Women Act.

Maria's divorce will be final this spring, just two years after she met Juan. She feels safe, is ready to graduate and start her life over with her new immigration status, all for the benefit of her daughter Julia.

Follow and Fan The Work of Texas Advocacy Project!

Keep up to date with TAP accomplishments, upcoming events and news from the world of domestic violence advocacy by connecting to the Project's new social media platforms.  You're already a fan of the precedent-setting work that our attorneys provide to Texans in need.  Become an official fan online, as well!   Help spread the word by inviting your Facebook friends and Twitter followers to check us out.  Watch for fun event photos, and be sure to thank our generous sponsors and corporate funders while you're there.

Twitter:  @legalhelp4dv
Facebook: Texas Advocacy Project

family violence legal line

800-374-hope (Statewide)

512-476-5770 (In Austin)

family law hotline

800-777-fair (Statewide)

512-476-1866 (In Austin)

sexual assault legal hotline

888-296-safe (Statewide)

512-225-9290 (In Austin)

technical advocacy hotline

888-325-safe (Statewide)

512-476-5386 (In Austin)