Laura’s House to commemorate Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month through candlelight vigil
Posted on January 12, 2012
On Friday, Feb. 3, more than 100 people are expected to gather in Lake Forest at the Laura’s House Resale Store to recognize Jacque Villagomez, who died at the hands of her abuser in September 2008, and all victims of teen dating violence
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Jan. 9, 2012 – To bring local focus to the nationally recognized Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, and to educate and prevent the devastating cycle of abuse that affects one in four high school students in Orange County, Laura’s House, will host a candlelight vigil in honor of all victims of teen dating violence on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Laura’s House Resale Store, located at 23635 El Toro Road, Suite F in Lake Forest.
Among those being honored during the vigil will be Jacque Villagomez, a graduate of El Toro High School in Lake Forest, who died at the hands of her abuser in September 2008. “Jacque was only 19 years old when she was killed by her boyfriend,” said Marissa Presley, Bilingual Prevention Education Specialist, Laura’s House. “Sadly, she is not alone. Recent studies have found that one in one in four high school students, both young men and women, are in a physically abusive relationship, and nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abuser.”
This is the second year in a row that Laura’s House has held a candlelight vigil commemorating Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. In February 2011, more than 100 attendees gathered at El Toro High School in Lake Forest. The event included music and tributes remembering Villagomez and all victims of teen dating violence. “We are grateful to the City of Lake Forest, for permitting us to hold the vigil this year at the Laura’s House Resale Store,” continued Presley. Local officials from Lake Forest and surrounding cities have been invited to attend the event.
The public is encouraged to attend the candlelight vigil, particularly families with teens and pre-teens, who are interested in learning more about how to prevent dating violence. Morgan Berschauer, a senior at Laguna Hills High School and the current Ms. Teen Orange County, will serve as the guest speaker for the event. Berschauer is an advocate for teen dating violence awareness and started a club at Laguna Hills High School to build awareness for Laura’s House and its Healthy Emotions and Attitudes in Relationships for Teens (H.E.A.R.T.) program.
Annually, Laura’s House provides its H.E.A.R.T. program to more than 3,000 Orange County teens at local high schools, junior colleges and other youth facilities. The program helps teens become educated on healthy relationships and appropriate conflict resolution skills. Laura's House also has a website designed to assist teens who are seeking information on healthy relationships. Teens can visit http://www.laurashouse.org/lhteen/ for more information. They can also become a fan of Laura’s House on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter. Learn more about our programs through videos posted on YouTube and our podcasts on Podomatic.com.
To schedule a H.E.A.R.T. presentation at your school please contact Marissa Presley, mpresley@laurashouse.org. More information on the programs and services offered by Laura’s House is available at www.laurashouse.org or by calling the Counseling and Resource Center at (949) 361-3775. Victims of domestic abuse can get immediate help by calling the Laura’s House 24-hour hotline at 949-498-1511 or toll-free at 866-498-1511.
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
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