Donna Childs Letter to Sunday Telegram
Appeared 12/31
December 21, 2000
Dear Editor:
Kudos to you for your coverage recently of violence in relationships. I
have been a school counselor for nearly 25 years, and can testify to the
importance of being able to know and defend yourself against abusive
communication, whether it is physical or emotional. I hope the Maine
Coalition to End Domestic Violence and the Maine Coalition against sexual
assault are able to obtain the $5 million they seek in new funding from our
state legislature.
I’m especially impressed with the school outreach work that is done by
Young Adult Abuse Prevention Program (YAAPP). They have worked at both
Freeport High School and Middle School where their work has helped kids to
have the knowledge and language to identify power imbalances in
relationships. When it is okay to talk about feelings of pressure and
intimidation, it becomes okay to get support for change. Adults can’t be
the only monitors of abuse and bullying. Kids need to pressure each other
not to hurt others.
I would like to see our tax dollars spent for a program that makes a
difference. I encourage legislators to reappropriate the $3 million we are
wasting on fingerprinting and FBI checks for educators. Use those dollars
to fight abuse in a cost effective and meaningful way by empowering our
students to recognize and halt hurtful, inappropriate actions.
Investing in education about abuse will reduce victimization and the
painful consequences your articles have exposed.
Donna Childs, Portland