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Teen Speaks Out on Domestic Abuse

Domestic violence can affect kids as much as it does adults. So Danielle Martin wanted to speak up and encourage her classmates at New Canaan High School to speak up.

"I think it's really important for kids to know about and be aware of domestic violence because they can help their friends around them," the 17-year-old senior said during a ceremony Monday for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Martin's speech followed a proclamation by Selectman Rob Mallozzi declaring October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month in town.

Martin, a member of the school's Youth Adult Partnership Board, said it's important for teens to talk about domestic abuse because it can affect them in their romantic and social relationships.

"Dating abuse isn't just an argument every once in a while or a bad mood after a bad day," Martin said. "Dating abuse is a pattern of controlling behavior that someone uses against a boyfriend or girlfriend."

Martin also discussed how the abuse is not limited to physical harm, citing the rise in cyber bullying. "All too often these days, MySpace, Facebook, text messaging and other forms of communication become weapons that kids use against other kids to bring about harm," she said.

Students who suspect a friend is being victimized should not just tell other friends, but find adults who can help, Martin said.

Selectman Sally Hines said people need to be aware of the dangers of domestic violence. "As a community of compassionate people, we cannot support a culture that allows violence to exist," Hines said.

The town Department of Youth Services will have several awareness events this month, including lunch events at New Canaan High on Tuesday and Wednesday and events at Saxe Middle School on Thursday and Friday.

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