Date: November 22, 2010
Wichita Teen Speaks about Teen Dating Violence to National Foundation of Women Legislator’s Conference in Orlando, Florida
WICHITA, Kan. – START STRONG WICHITA CHOOSE RESPECT , a project of Catholic Charities of Wichita, sent Apryl Cornell, 18, to the National Foundation of Women Legislator’s Conference in Orlando, Florida November 19th to share what is happening in Wichita, Kansas in teen dating violence prevention. The session was presented by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Liz Claiborne, who have each played integral roles in informing the public about the health concerns of domestic violence. Cornell was one of six members asked to sit in on a panel and inform Female Legislators on Teen Dating Violence. Other Panel members included Jim Marks (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), Mary Wilson (singer from The Supremes), Jane Randel (Liz Claiborne), Anne Burke and Kim Davidson (parents of Domestic Violence Victims), and Patrick Lynch (RI- Attorney General.)
Cornell was introduced by Lana Gordon (KS-State Representative) who was one of 250 Female Legislators from around the country at the conference. The mission of the conference was to celebrate many existing political efforts including preventing teen dating violence and to inspire new policies to address the issue. Cornell was asked to share her experience as a victim of physical, emotional, and sexual dating abuse. Apryl opened her speech quite modestly; reminding the conference that her story is not unique. She is well-versed on the research surrounding teen dating violence citing that 1 in 5 teens will graduate high school having experienced some form of dating violence. As Cornell puts it “What makes my story unique is that I was able to get out of the relationship because of a school based teen dating violence prevention program. Now I can educate other teens so they do not have to go through what I went through.”
Cornell first got involved with START STRONG WICHITA as part of one of their three drama troupes called “The Outrage” a play performed at Southeast High School that teaches students about dating violence. The play helped Cornell to reflect on her own relationship and do more than ‘preach’ about dating violence, actually act. With the help of her fellow drama members and her sponsor, she was able to implement a strategy to safely exit the relationship. She currently attends Butler County Community College and spends her time working as a mentor to the current teen leaders of START STRONG WICHITA, inspiring others to stand up to violence.
The conference echoed the philosophy of what START STRONG WICHITA is about, creating UPSTANDERS. Simply put, someone who stands UP to violence. As Cornell put it, “We all need to do everything we can to educate kids about dating violence. If we all work together, we can change it.”
YOU GUYS ARE TRUELY AMAZING! IDK WHAT I’D DO WITH OUT ALL OF YOU I HAD NO IDEA ANY OF THIS WAS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED ON HERE N IT SOUNDS AMAZING!
love u all!!!!
Apryl
So proud of Apryl!! And so blessed to have her as a friend!!
You are such a strong and powerful voice, and a great example to other youth in our area. Thank you for all you do to spread the message!