100+

THOUSAND Dollars Raised

WSO has raised over $100,000 to help fund student focused events such as its Annual Speak Love Conference and educational workshops.

10+

Years Serving communities

Founded in 2008, WSO has created innovative events throughout the years to help sustain its visibility in the community and commitment to raising awareness of dating violence. #speaklove #wsohawai

5+

Thousand WOMAN Impacted

One of the goals of WSO has been to form a sisterhood of young women made up of survivors, educators, students and advocates that believe in creating change.

Being a victim of dating violence is not your fault. Nothing you do, say, or wear gives anyone the right to hurt you.

GET HELP:

If you think you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately!
Talk to someone you trust like a parent, coach, counselor, adult neighbor, nurse, school principal, teacher, trusted family member like an older sibling or cousin.
If you choose to tell, you should know that some adults are mandated reporters. This means they are legally required to report neglect or abuse to someone else, such as the police. You can ask people if they are mandated reporters and then decide what you want to do. Some examples of mandated reporters are teachers, counselors, doctors, social workers and in some cases coaches.
If you need help in deciding whom to talk to, call a crisis line in your area and speak to a professional.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS:

When you go out, let family and friends know where you are going and when you will be back.

Go out in a group or with other couples.
Have money available for transportation if you need to take a bus or taxi to escape.
Keep a cell phone or calling cards handy for immediate communication.
Memorize important phone numbers, such as the people to contact or places to go in an emergency.
In an emergency, call 911!

If you know someone who might be in an abusive relationship, you can help by

Offer your friendship and support.
Remain calm. Remember that your friend will be aware of your reactions.
Be a good listener and non-judgmental. Ask for details of the abuse.
Encourage your friend to seek help. Assist in finding people who can support like other friends, coaches, counselors, teachers and family members.
Ask how you can help.
Use phrases such as “Nothing you did or didn’t do makes you deserve this, I appreciate you sharing this with me, I believe you, I am proud of you, and I’ll support your decisions.”
Avoid phrases such as “Don’t tell anyone, just forget it ever happened, get over it, try not to think about it or this wouldn’t have happened if you.”
Educate yourself about dating violence and healthy relationships.
Avoid any confrontations with the abuser. This could be dangerous for you and your friend.
Allow your friend time to heal and stay in contact with her or him on their progress.

NEED HELP

HIGH SCHOOL

Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence.
One in ten high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

COLLEGE STUDENTS

Nearly half (43%) of dating college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors.
College students are not equipped to deal with dating abuse – 57% say it is difficult to identify and 58% say they don’t know how to help someone who’s experiencing it.
One in three (36%) dating college students has given a dating partner their computer, email or social network passwords and these students are more likely to experience digital dating abuse.
One in six (16%) college women have been sexually abused in a dating relationship.

Why young women

Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence — almost triple the national average.
Among female victims of intimate partner violence, 94% of that age 16-19 and 70% of that age 20-24 were victimized by a current or former boyfriend or girlfriend.
Violent behavior typically begins between the ages of 12 and 18.
The severity of intimate partner violence is often greater in cases where the pattern of abuse was established in adolescence.

Effects of abuse

Violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications by putting the victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence.
Being physically or sexually abused makes teen girls six times more likely to become pregnant and twice as likely to get a STI.
Half of youth who have been victims of both dating violence and rape attempt suicide, compared to 12.5% of non-abused girls and 5.4% of non-abused boys.