The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC) operating under Horizons Youth Services (HYS) recognized October Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October 16, 2017 with guest speaker Julie Hayden, YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program. Ms. Hayden spoke to new enrollees in Career Preparation Period. In addition, October 16-20 is Week without Violence.

Domestic Violence affects women every day. The statistics are alarming and here are a few:

• Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.
• Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.
• Most often, the abuser is a member of her own family.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.
• Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.
• Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.

Hayden said, “I am honored to be here today sharing with students at the Charleston Job Corps Center. It is important for youth to know what a healthy relationships looks like and the signs of domestic violence.” Anyone can be the victim of domestic violence. “It not only affects partner relationships, but includes families and the elderly” said Hayden. According to Hayden, “One hundred and eighty three (183) individuals came through the domestic violence emergency shelter last year and 1,500 domestic violence petitions were served in Kanawha, Boone and Clay counties.”

The Charleston Job Corps Center is actively involved in bringing our students information that can affect their lives to help them make healthy choices. If you or someone you know suffers from domestic violence, please seek help by contacting the 24/7 Domestic Violence Crisis Line at (304) 340-3549.

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.