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Domestic Violence Coordinating Council and Montgomery County Public Schools to Host Choose Respect Conference about Teen Dating

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 10, 2018

The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, in partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, is hosting the 9th Annual Choose Respect Conference on Sunday, April 15 at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, from 12 to 4 p.m. The free conference will address teen dating and ways to establish healthy relationships. It is for 6th through 12th grade students, parents, youth service providers, educators and others.

“Dating violence is an issue that touches many lives in Montgomery County,” said Sheriff Darren Popkin.
“I hope you will join me on Sunday at the Choose Respect Conference to get helpful information on healthy relationships, how to help a friend, and to learn about the free services in Montgomery County to get help.”

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. Conference attendees will learn about various ways to end the cycle of dating violence.

At the beginning of the Choose Respect Conference, there will be a resource fair with community organizations as well as live music and a red carpet where attendees can take selfies with DJs from iHeart Radio stations. Toby Knapp of iHeart Radio 97.1, will emcee the opening ceremony. Winners will be announced for the annual Choose Respect PSA Contest and raffle prizes.

The Conference will consist of workshops organized by age group where attendees can learn about healthy friendships, dating violence and bystander intervention. Workshops for parents will address how to talk to your child about relationships. The workshops will be offered in English and Spanish. The conference will end with free pizza.

For more information and to register to attend, please visit http://chooserespect2018.eventbrite.com/

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Release ID: 18-509
Media Contact: Lorraine Driscoll 240-777-6507