Domestic Violence Clinic speaks on current issues with local high school
Pictured L-R: Courtney Glazer-Mapfumo, Prof. Jane Stoever, Erika Bertelsen, and Victoria Wyatt.
On November 29, students from UCI Law’s Domestic Violence Clinic delivered a presentation at University High School on the #MeToo Movement and Teen Dating Violence Awareness.
Topics included the role of social media in abuse, a discussion of how to create social change and promote healthy relationships, and information on local resources. Clinic students presenting at University High included 3Ls Erika Bertelsen, Courtney Glazer-Mapfuno, and Victoria Wyatt.
“The World Health Organization recommends that education regarding healthy relationships and teen dating violence prevention occur by ages 11 to 14," said Professor Jane Stoever, director of the UCI Law Domestic Violence Clinic. "The Clinic’s community presentations provide powerful opportunities for needed dialogue, abuse prevention, and early intervention in problematic dynamics that someone is experiencing or exhibiting.
"The Clinic students engaged the high school audience through discussions of technology, celebrities, and what characteristics the students hope for in their relationships," Stoever added. "The high school audience offered inspiring reflections on what they can do to create needed societal change.”
In April, Prof. Stoever and clinic students visited Beckman High School for a Youth Action Forum and a presentation on #MeToo. Based on the positive response to the sessions at Beckham and University High Schools, the Domestic Violence Clinic will deliver additional presentations at local high schools during spring 2019.
"As we engaged with students during the University High presentation, it was motivating to hear how many of them believe that one of the best ways to prevent teen dating violence and intimate partner violence is to educate children on sexism, gender-based stigmas, and healthy relationship dynamics," said Bertelsen.
"The high school students were so passionate about participating in the conversation and coming up with ways to tackle these issues," Wyatt added. "Their knowledge and excitement about gender equality and non-violence truly made the experience unforgettable and illustrated why the work done in our clinic is so important."
Students in the Domestic Violence Clinic provide transformative legal representation to domestic violence survivors and their children. The Clinic provides holistic services, and as a result, students represent clients in a range of civil, criminal, immigration, and policy matters, and collaborate with community partners to address clients' safety and support needs.