CNX Foundation, DVSSP Committed to Raising Awareness About Teen Domestic Violence Risk

From cyber dating problems and unwanted texts to controlling behavior and emotional abuse, teens may be exposed to a wide variety of relationship behavior that could eventually lead to domestic abuse. To help combat this, CNX Foundation has an ongoing partnership with Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP) that includes grant support and in-person education sessions for Mentorship Academy students that addresses domestic awareness and prevention.

Helping young men and women recognize signs of an unhealthy or even abusive relationship early is a key element to preventing future intimate partner violence. DVSSP uses a comprehensive, 7-dose program called BringLove365 to help teens develop goal setting, communication and creative skills in order to cultivate healthy and safe relationships. 

“Domestic abuse awareness is one of the key pillars we support at CNX Foundation,” said Alex Reyes, CNX Resources Executive Vice President and General Counsel. “Laying the groundwork for young men and women to understand what a healthy relationship looks and feels like early on not only keeps them safe - it helps them identify appropriate, loving relationships earlier and lays the groundwork for healthy families down the road.” 

As a key pillar for CNX Foundation, domestic abuse awareness works in concert with another pillar - children’s health and wellness. Studies show that approximately 10 percent of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner in the last year. Girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing abuse in relationships, but all teens can suffer long-term behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, eating disorders and drug use. 

Last year, CNX Resources launched its Appalachia First vision, placing the communities, families and neighborhoods in the center. Through its support, CNX aspires to serve as a catalyst for a new middle class - one poised to take advantage of the opportunities a natural gas economy has to offer. Healthy, thriving families are a significant part of this vision. 

“We have a wealth of community partners working with us to address both acute and long-term priorities to improve the quality of life for people in the region we so proudly call home,” said Reyes. “Some issues, like hunger and stable housing, are immediate. Others, like domestic abuse awareness, require a different approach - teaching youth to recognize unhealthy patterns of violence so they don’t carry them into future relationships.”