Conference aims to help teens end cycle of domestic abuse
Rosie Rivera, sister of slain singer Jenni Rivera, will speak at WomenShelter's event on Feb. 25
Helping teens recognize the signs of potential dating and relationship violence is the goal of a free conference, organized by WomenShelter of Long Beach, taking place later this month.
Driving the message home will be Rosie Rivera, youngest sister of late singing star Jenni Rivera and a television personality herself. Rivera is a survivor of relationship violence, as well as child sexual abuse, and has written a book titled “My Broken Pieces: Mending the Wounds From Sexual Abuse Through Faith, Family and Love.”
Rivera, who lives in Long Beach, will give copies of her book to attendees of the sixth annual Youth Conference, set to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at Light and Life West, 6465 Cherry Ave. Her keynote speech is titled “I Am Worth It!”
The conference will also offer information about recognizing the red flags of teen dating violence to prevent the abuse cycle from beginning or continuing. There will be sharing sessions, other activities, a free lunch and prize giveaways.
Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner, according to WomenShelter's announcement about the conference. And intimate partner violence throughout a person's life is often greater when the pattern of abuse is established in adolescence, the shelter added.
Those 13 to 18 years old, college students, adult caregivers and service providers are invited to the one-day conference. The event is free with registration at womenshelterlb.org. For answers about this conference or other WomenShelter education programs, email lvasquez@womenshelter.org.