The Importance of Getting Domestic Violence Education Into schools

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Where are Courtney's Allies?

 The short answer is we are everywhere. We have Allies in Vermont, New England, and we are dotted across the country in every single time zone. I am actually writing this blog post to our readers from beautiful Alaska where I currently reside. While the Allies may be spread out across the country, we all have the same common goal, advocating for our friend Courtney Gaboriault to ensure that people everywhere know the signs of domestic violence. One of the things I have been doing to assist Courtney's Allies from afar is figuring out a way to help pass legislation in the state of Vermont that can mandate domestic violence education for students in Vermont schools. If it's one thing that has become readily apparent these last few months as we have immersed ourselves in learning about domestic violence, it is that DV doesn't care who you are, where you came from or currently reside, what your education level is, what the color of your skin is, how old you are, or how much money you make. Knowing this, it is even more important to make sure that young adults are aware of the signs of domestic violence and are trained on how to safely advocate for themselves and their friends or family who may be victims of domestic violence. If this occurs, they will grow up to become well informed adults who can make the world a little brighter through their actions, just like Courtney did.

 Bree Moore

Who was Bree Moore? Sadly, Bree Moore's story is a lot like Courtney's, but like Courtney she had a group of people in her life who sprung into action to make things happen to prevent domestic violence from further occuring in their state. In 2014, Bree Moore was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in Anchorage, Alaska, she was only 20. A smart and beautiful woman with an infectious smile and bright personality, Bree was very much like our sweet Courtney and her death was felt by all who were lucky enough to have crossed paths with her. Bree's parents recognized that in order to stop other families from feeling the pain they now had to endure, figuring out a way to get legislation passed that allowed education on domestic violence to be taught in schools, was of the utmost priority. In 2015 Bree's Law was passed and became part of Alaska's Safe Child Act which now ensures that dating violence education is taught to students in grades 7-12 in all Alaska Public Schools. A visit to the Bree's Law website describes some of the topics covered in public schools as a result of Bree's Law including "how to develop healthy relationships, practice supportive communication skills, recognize the warning signs of an abusive relationship, and where to go for help" (www.Breeslaw.org). 

Two Worlds Collide

 I am ecstatic to announce that in early 2019 I will be traveling to Anchorage, Alaska as a representative of Courtney's Allies and meeting with the Bree Moore Foundation to learn about the realities of passing legislation and how we can start this process in Vermont. I am incredibly grateful to the Bree Moore foundation for the opportunity to sit down and speak with those closest to Bree who embarked on this journey.

Looking into the Future

The deaths of domestic violence victims like Courtney and Bree should never happen. We can prevent the epidemic of lives cut too short from occurring in the future through targeted education in our schools to our students when they are in their formative years. There is much work to be done, but Courtney's Allies are up for the task.

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