The program opens up conversations with girls, ages 11 to 17, about what is considered healthy in a loving relationship versus the damaging and, sometimes, dangerous aspects of an unhealthy relationship.

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Faith House is hosting its summer program entitled, Love Is. The program opens up conversations with girls ages 11-17 about what is considered healthy in a loving relationship and helping them avoid the damaging, and sometimes dangerous, aspects of an unhealthy relationship.

Elements of the program include recognizing "red flags," safety planning, helping a friend and improving conflict resolution. The course utilizes games, role-playing, "girl talk" and hands-on activities to keep the participants engaged.

News 10 visited the public library as several girls were participating in the program with Angelle Bellard, Community Educational Coordinator. 

"We're having conversations about what is considered love, what is healthy within a relationship, and what are the red signs that we're gonna be looking for so that we can know how to safely get out of a relationship that might be turning in the opposite direction,” Bellard said. "They're going to get an awareness of how to not make excuses for bad behavior, how to understand what is considered truly damaging and harmful, and how it's not going to get better if that's already the signs that are being shown within the beginning of the relationship." 

The Lafayette Police Department reports show the total number of domestic violence reports so far this year is 438 and the number of calls for service is 1,795. The number of domestic violence reports from January 1, 2023, to July 22, 2023, was 425 and the number of calls for service was 1,784. The total number of reports for the entire year of 2023 was 776 and the total number of calls for service is 3,115.

“How to start to safely get out of that relationship before it becomes too dangerous, which it can even at this early age and hopefully as an adult, not find themselves in an abusive relationship,” said Bellard. 

This program runs from July 22 -23 at the Lafayette Public Library from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information and to register contact Angelle at 337-267-9422, ext. 1822, or email angelle@faithhouseacadiana.com.

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