New Canaan Student Asks Peers To Stop Violence

NEW CANAAN, Conn. — Lauren Jansen did not realize about how prevalent domestic violence is. Now, the New Canaan High School senior wants to make sure others know just how much of a problem it is.

“I feel like in health classes, you hear about violence and abuse. Everyone knows it’s there in the background, but no one knows the details or how prevalent it is in our own society,” said Jansen, 17, a speaker at an event Monday at New Canaan High to start Domestic Violence Awareness Month. “I thought it was important for high schoolers and people my own age to hear about it because I know I hadn’t until two years ago.”

Jansen is getting the word out as the president of the New Canaan Youth-Adult Partnership Board, a group that has New Canaan High students and residents working together on projects to improve the community.

Signs to remind people about domestic violence are posted all over town. Volunteers have placed 83 purple ribbons on light poles and trees to remind people about domestic violence. Each ribbon represents a call made to New Canaan police this year to report a domestic incident.

Dede Bartlett, chairwoman of the New Canaan Domestic Violence Partnership, said people did not think that domestic violence existed in town when the group was formed eight years ago. “But they learned that this beautiful town is like every other town in America,” Bartlett said.

Jansen, who wears a purple domestic violence awareness wristband, said it’s important for children to be aware of domestic violence and not be afraid to step in for someone who might need a hand, whether dealing with a violent parent or significant other. “A lot of times, people do brush it under the rug or they don’t consider it their responsibility to step into someone else’s business,” she said. “When in reality, if you step in, you do make a difference.”

Jansen will also spread the word with other students next Thursday morning as they pass out pamphlets and information about domestic violence awareness at the Metro-North Railroad station at Park and Elm streets.  

To contact Melvin Mason, email mmason@thedailynewcanaan.com.

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