Choose Love, Not Abuse

Hey, did you know that today marks the start of the Dating Violence Awareness Week (DVAW)?

I didn’t. Until two days ago.

I received an invitation to attend the launch event by an NTU undergraduate named Carmen Lee, who seems to be the media rep for this campaign.

Dating Violence Awareness Week poster

Unfortunately, I can’t go, but I want to support this worthy cause, so I’m shouting out about it.

Launch of Dating Violence Awareness Week
Date: Sat, Feb 7, 2009
Time: 1 pm to 6 pm
Venue: Tampiness Mall, Level 4 (Open Plaza)

Yeah, it’s happening right now.

There will be freebies, a jigsaw competition, Bodyshop makeovers, dance and band performances and other stuff. Check it out if you can drop by… at such short notice.

Dating violence happens when a partner uses force or pressure to abuse the other partner sexually, physically or psychologically in a dating relationship. The frequency and the severity of the abuse usually increase as the relationship continues.

Some startling facts in Singapore:

  • From 1999 to 2004, 58 people were killed by their spouses, boyfriends or ex-lovers.
  • A 2003 survey showed that 15 to 30 per cent of secondary and JC students polled have experienced family or dating violence.
  • In 2004, it was reported that one in five university students had physically assaulted a dating partner over a year.

DVAW campaign video:

I hope DVAW will go a long way in helping address this social problem. Perhaps victims will not feel so alone and, hopefully, find the courage to leave their abusive partners because it’s just not right to allow another human being to physically abuse you for any reason.

There is a better person out there waiting for you!

If you believe that you might be a victim of dating violence but aren’t sure, read this to find out the warning signs.

Check out the official campaign website for more info.

Well, okay, let’s all support this cause and help make the world a better place!

19 thoughts on “Choose Love, Not Abuse

  1. Avatar

    A good cause, and one that is very relevant here. A lot of very insecure guys who try to control their girlfriends… Not a good thing at all.

  2. Avatar

    @Sheylara: Yeah, there was an article on this campaign in the papers. Glad that you took the opportunity to highlight this very important message here:)

  3. Avatar

    Hey sheylara..
    There are cases of men n women who are abused physicaly n mentaly in relationships.. some of these victims dun dare to seek help.. itz great you brought this up.. Good work !!

    Hey itz Nadia’s Birthday today.. so dun forget to wish her.. i love to be the candle on her birthday cake.. so when she blows me, i will make her wish comes true.. =P

  4. Avatar

    @shey

    If you didn’t mention it here i don’t think much people know about this DVAW campaign. I guess more people knows about the 10 Million ToTo ….. lol!!!!!!! :p

  5. Avatar

    Hey sheylara..

    my Gemini horoscope says..
    “If a friend starts to look at you funny, think back to what you just said — it could be that what you meant as a joke came out as an insult. It’s too easy to give offense today, so try to backtrack quickly!”

    yeah.. I wanna apologised to nadia if she gets offended by my joke.. yeah..

  6. Avatar

    Relax: I think the media focuses on female victims because:

    #1: There ARE more female victims.
    #2: Females need more help because they’re less able to physically defend themselves (even if they wanted to).

    But I believe the government website did mention that there are also male victims.

  7. Avatar

    #2: Male/Female are the same. It’s not so much of unable to defend themselves physically, rather they are unwilling to… or so i think.

  8. Avatar

    I’m talking about in cases when people want to defend themselves, females usually find it harder to defend against males than vice versa.

    But yeah I know in abusive relationships, most of the time it’s because people don’t want to defend themselves and allow the abuse.

    But then, you can’t deny you’ve heard cases of men beating up women until they’re all swollen and bleeding. And I’m sure the women don’t just sit around and welcome it. I’m sure they put up some sort of defence but it’s hard when the man is physically stronger.

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