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Oct 21, 2009 12:43 pm US/Eastern
S. Fl. Teens Work To Break Cycle Of Domestic Abuse
Nicole Maristany
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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Members of TADA, "Teens Against Domestic Abuse".
CBS
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and there's a group of South Florida teenagers who are reaching out to help break the cycle of domestic abuse.
"I hope that people realize that this is a topic we can talk about and something we can actually do something about," said Emily Martinez-Lanza, a member of Teens Against Domestic Abuse.
Emily is only 18-years-old but already an advocate for victims of domestic abuse.
"Basically it was the death of a very close family friend. She was actually murdered by her husband; we saw them suffer through it," explained Emily.
Emily started a club at her high school, Gulliver Prep. It's the first organization of its kind created and led by South Florida teens.
Through education, community service and legislative reform, Emily and the group, "Teens Against Domestic Abuse", or TADA", has tried to put a stop to the cycle of abuse in our community.
"I decided why not do something about this, it's just a big an issue as drug and alcohol abuse that our schools address every day," said Emily.
Her friends and TADA club members agree.
"This club is different from all the other clubs I'm in seeing as it focuses on one specific topic of domestic violence, I mean our school has never had something like this before," said Shaan Patel.
By bringing domestic abuse awareness education to the school and local women's shelters, this team of teens has already made waves not only here in South Florida, but also on Capitol Hill, where just last week Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen recognized the group.
In video posted on YouTube, Ros-Lehtinen says, "I commend 'TADA' for their efforts in promoting domestic violence education in our schools; I also commend the Women's Fund of Miami-Dade County for its outstanding contribution to helping stop domestic violence in our South Florida community."
Emily feels her journey as an activist has just begun, and plans to expand the club to high schools across the nation.
"Hopefully others who see the progression of this organization will be able to do the same and follow their own passions."
If you'd like to join these teens in their mission to put a stop to domestic abuse and violence, call Neighbors 4 Neighbors at
305-597-4404.
TADA will hold a panel discussion on November 5th, 2009, "Break the Silence: Break the Cycle." It's aimed to shed light on domestic violence and how it transcends age, social and ethnic groups. It'll include a panel of experts in the field of domestic abuse.
The event will be held at the Holiday Inn (1350 S Dixie Hwy., Coral Gables, FL, 33146), across from University of Miami.
The event is also an opportunity for TADA to raise funds, so they can continue to:
- Educate the public about the truth of domestic abuse
- Provide victims with necessities and financial support while in transition
- Create teen-driven TADA chapters in more schools
- Push legislative efforts to make education on domestic abuse part of high schools' curricula nationwide
CBS4's Lisa Cilli contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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