‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt’ conference scheduled by Grace Smith House

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School staff participate in a discussion about teen dating violence at Grace Smith House’s 6th annual “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” conference in 2019

DUTCHESS COUNTY – High school students from 10 different Dutchess County school districts are set to attend Grace Smith House’s annual “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” conference on Monday. 

The day-long event, now in its seventh year, brings students together at Dutchess Community College for interactive workshops and discussions on breaking the cycle of teen dating violence.

“The Love Shouldn’t Hurt conference gives students and staff a space to learn and gain knowledge about dating violence and resources available to young adults in the community,” said Grace Smith House Community Educator Megan Bajana. 

Across the nation, 1 in 3 teens will experience emotional, physical, verbal or sexual violence while in a relationship. Teenagers who experience dating violence are at greater risk of experiencing domestic violence in adulthood.

About 170 students and staff from the Arlington, Beacon, Dover, Hyde Park, Pine Plains, Poughkeepsie, Red Hook, Rhinebeck, Wappingers, and Webutuck districts, along with Dutchess BOCES, are expected to attend this year’s conference.

The conference is being funded through a Henry Nias Foundation grant. Speakers will include Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and NYS Senator Sue Serino.

The nonprofit Grace Smith House provides residential and non-residential services to victims of domestic violence and their children in Dutchess County. For more information, to seek help or advice, visit www.gracesmithhouse.org or call the 24-hour hotline at 845-471-3033.




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