Addressing teen challenges

SARA CIACCI

Less than two decades ago, the belief that spousal abuse, like alcoholism and drug addiction, did not exist in Jewish homes was accepted as fact. Actually, all three existed, but, like the "elephant in the room," it was a fact we chose not to see or accept.

Since the early '90s, Jewish Women International-B.C. (JWI-BC) has been at the forefront of bringing public awareness to our community that Jewish women suffer from physical, psychological, financial, verbal or sexual abuse in the same numbers as women in other religious or ethnic groups.

Today, there is another elephant in the room, larger and more dangerous. In recent years, there has been an increase in teen experimentation with sex, drugs and alcohol. Jewish teens are no different than their peers – however, many parents are wearing blinders. Current research indicates that fewer than 18 per cent of parents believe their teen has tried marijuana, yet 39 per cent of teenagers report using this drug. (And how many didn't admit it?) Just one per cent of parents believe their teen has used ecstasy, yet nine per cent of teens report trying it. Statistics Canada reports that one in eight Canadian teenagers has had sexual intercourse by the age of 15 (12 per cent of boys, 13 per cent for girls).

Unfortunately, parents are often the last to know, or believe, that their child is in trouble. Although most parents say they believe it is important to discuss such issues with their kids, fewer than 33 per cent of teens report learning a lot about these topics at home.

It is also estimated that one-third of our country's teenagers are abused emotionally, physically, verbally or sexually by their boyfriend or girlfriend. Relationship violence is consistently reported as having a negative impact on our children's future behavior and emotional well being, both as youth and adults. In the area of abuse, because teens are often too young and inexperienced to recognize the difference, the relationships they are forming are often neither healthy nor respectful. The need for prevention and intervention is crucial to break the intergenerational cycle of abuse.

When commenting on the need for teen programming in our community, Rabbi Philip Bregman stated, "The future of any group of people is largely dependent on the next generation. We Jews know that most certainly. We also know that growing up in our society today is not always easy, and many of our young people face all sorts of challenges and difficulties that can overtake them. We need to make sure that we are there with all the proper resources to help our youth, head on. Drugs, alcohol and sexual activity are but a few of the many challenges that are out there and need to be addressed in an open, direct and understanding way. As the chairman of RAV [Rabbinical Association of Vancouver], I applaud the efforts, support, and dedication of Jewish Women International-B.C."

In response to a growing concern over the dangers facing today's youth, JWI, both in the United States and Canada, has embarked on a series of programs to help teens recognize what constitutes healthy and respectful teen relationships.
In April 2006, JWI-BC, together with TAG youth group and high school students from Temple Sholom, Beth Israel and Schara Tzedeck, organized their first program on healthy relationships for teens.

As JWI-BC embarks on its 80th year of service to the community, one of its most important projects will be teen programs and services to provide education and information to adolescents as they begin to explore new connections with their peers. It is important to raise awareness about relationship violence and other problems facing our youth before they become part of their life experience. The first series of classes is planned for the 2007/2008 year at King David High School.

JWI-BC is extremely grateful to Ben Dayson, whose very generous donation in memory of his beloved wife, Esther, has been dedicated by JWI-BC to programs for the well-being of local teens, regardless of religious or ethnic background. Esther was a life member of Jewish Women International-BC and its 1992 Rainbow Lunch honoree, where she was recognized for her dedication to "the emotional well- being of children."

Other JWI-BC abuse prevention programs include ASTEH (alternative short-term emergency housing), the only kosher apartment west of Toronto for an abused Jewish woman and her children, and Devora, the Jewish abuse line. Both are operated with the support of Jewish Family Service Agency counsellors. Also available to view are various videos and rabbis' manuals, JWI-BC's It's Not Your Fault information pamphlet, as well as JWIC's Protect Yourself – Stop the Violence Against You printed in five languages – English, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish and French. For more information, call 604-838-5567.

Sara Ciacci is the domestic violence chair for JWI-BC.

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