Teen dating awareness seminar to take place in Tullamore

Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service (ODVSS) will host a Teen Dating Violence Awareness Seminar next week and is encouraging secondary school students from all the local schools to attend.

The event takes place on Thursday, November 13, and is aimed at raising vital awareness about gender-based violence among young people, teachers, and the wider community.

Building on the success of ODVSS’ s Teen Dating Violence Workshops, currently delivered in secondary schools, this event marks a significant expansion of the preventative education work being undertaken by the local domestic violence service.

The seminar will bring together leading voices in youth mental health, crisis support, and gender-based violence prevention to explore the realities of teen relationships, the signs of abuse, and how to create a culture of safety, consent, and respect.

Expert Speakers on the Day Include:

Catherine Dooley – Rape Crisis

Niamh Dowler – CYPSC (Children and Young People’s Services Committee)

Mary Hayes – 2intoYou, Women’s Aid

Áine Costello & Jean Hensen – ODVSS/Youth Support

Leona McManus – Jigsaw, Youth Mental Health

Blaithnaid Raleigh – Survivor & Advocate

The event will also feature the screening of a powerful SpunOut.ie, video highlighting the experiences of young people affected by intimate partner violence. One in five young women and one in nine young men experience abuse in their teenage relationships. Yet, many do not recognise the warning signs of coercive control, digital abuse, emotional manipulation, or sexual pressure.

Early intervention is key, and education empowers young people to recognise unhealthy behaviours before they escalate. “Young people deserve safe, healthy relationships built on trust and respect. By bringing experts together, our goal is to break the silence surrounding teen dating violence and equip both adults and young people with the tools to recognise and respond to abuse” said Anne Clarke, CEO of ODVSS “To break the cycle of domestic abuse, we must start educating our young people and help them to recognise what is a healthy and unhealthy relationship."

This seminar is opened to all secondary schools but booking in advance is necessary. Limited spaces available. To book contact Edel at children@odvss.ie or call 057 9351796.