Youth Advocacy

R.E.A.C.H. provides a youth advocate who  acts in the best interests of the youth we are working with. Free and confidential services offered range from assisting youth victims of violence in court proceedings; counseling and referrals; youth victim’s rights information;  peer support groups; safety planning; teen dating violence intervention and community outreach programs.

1,500,000 teens in the U.S. are effectedby teen dating violence.

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TEEN DATING VIOLENCE INFORMATION

Have a hard time knowing how or what to say to your youth about healthy relationships or sexuality?

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, "Many adults lack accurate information about what to expect as adolescents develop sexually. This can make it difficult to distinguish healthy from unhealthy behaviors. When adults understand the difference between the two, they are better able to support healthy attitudes and behaviors and create positive opportunities to learn from challenges. They also are equipped to intervene when there are concerns related to unhealthy behavior or sexual violence."--nsvrc.org

Here is a great resource to help parents better understand what their youth are going through in adolescence, and how you can begin building an important conversation with your teen: "An Overview Of Adolescent Sexual Development." 

HOW TO TALK TO TEENS ABOUT DATING VIOLENCE

IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP HEALTHY?
Take the quiz below to find out if you may be at risk of an unhealthy relationship...

Take Quiz To See If Your Relationship May  Be Unhealthy!

Ask  yourself: Does my boyfriend or girlfriend...

• Call me frequently to find out where I am, who I’m with, or what I’m doing?
• Call me names, insult me, or criticize me?
• Act jealous, possessive, controlling, or bossy?
• Threaten to hurt themselves if I don’t do what they want?
• Refuse to allow me normal contact with my family and friends?
• Shove, punch, slap, pinch, kick, or hit me? Pull my hair? Choke or strangle me?
• Get ANGRY very quickly, or fight a lot?
• Touch or kiss me when I don’t want to? Force me to have sex? Not let me use birth control?
• Use alcohol or drugs and pressure me to do it too?
• Refuses to accept that the relationship isn’t working or is over?
• Follow me or track where I go? Show up repeatedly at my home or work uninvited? Check up on me all the time?

*If you answered yes to any of these  questions, speak to one of our trained advocates 24/7 for more information. (828) 369-5544 Or (828) 586-8969

*NEW RESOURCES FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN
​AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE*

• How Does Domestic Violence Affect Children? (2013) (PDF)
• Celebrating Your Child's Strengths (2013) (PDF)
• Before You Talk to Your Children: How Your Feelings Matter (2013) (PDF)
• Listening and Talking to Your Children About Domestic Violence (2013) (PDF)
• The Importance of Playing with Your Children (2013) (PDF)
• Keeping Your Children Safe and Responding to Their Fears (2013) (PDF)
• Managing Challenging Behavior of Children Living with Domestic Violence (2013) (PDF)
• Where to Turn if You Are Worried About Your Children (2013) (PDF)
• Helping Your Child Navigate a Relationship with the Abusive Parent (2013) (PDF)
• A Parent's Self-Care and Self-Reflection (2013) (PDF)

WHAT IS CYBER-BULLYING?

STAND UP TO BULLYING!
FIND YOUR VOICE...This girl did!