Start Strong Rhode Island’s director, Kate Reilly, Youth Speaker, Amber Johnson, and Start Strong Oakland’s Tuere Anderson from Youth Radio were speakers at the National Summit on Gender-Based Violence among Young People held in Arlington, VA on April 6-7. Amber, a high school senior from Providence, spoke about the importance of including teens in the effort to prevent dating violence. “No real progress is possible without authentic youth voice,” she said. “Occasional focus groups are not enough! Do you have youth on your policy committees? Research groups? Advocacy teams? You need to!”

Amber also emphasized the importance of educating youth about the dangers of dating violence at a young age and in school settings. “Start from the beginning,” she told the crowd. “My generation needs you, and you need us. Advocacy and intervention is not possible without a real relationship and fluid communication. Don't start in your office, start in our classrooms.”

Start Strong Rhode Island