Domestic Violence Task Force Simulation

Domestic Violence Task Force Simulation
Posted on 03/20/2015
This is the image for the news article titled Domestic Violence Task Force SimulationSimulation Overview, by Sadie Simons

On March 5th, Ms. Monica Moran from the Ware Domestic Violence Task Force visited the Ware Junior Senior High School Domestic Violence Task Force Advisory to simulate a dating situation and further educate students about the complexity and signs of an abusive relationship. Ms. Moran divided the classroom into two sides representing “stay” and “leave,” and then described a fictional relationship based on non-fictional issues.  The relationship fluctuated between being healthy and unhealthy and it was up to each person in the group to distinguish between the two.  The relationship consisted of “good periods” which involved laughter, support, and admitting to mistakes followed by an apology, and the relationship also had “bad periods” characterized by control, jealousy, guilt, and hurtful words. When a new factor or event was added into the scenario, the students walked to either side to say whether the partner in the relationship should stay or go. At first, certain signs were clear, and the students moved in unison, but as it became more complicated, the students were divided. What made the situation complicated was the blended combination of the good periods and the bad periods. However, in the end, an unhealthy pattern had clearly developed and the group unanimously decided that the partner should leave. As students debriefed, they further discussed with Ms. Moran the complications that split their decision and the healthy and unhealthy signs that they saw. This simulation helped the students of the Ware High School Domestic Violence Task Force Advisory gain a better grasp on what they take a stand for. Students now have a deeper understanding of how to identify, and help victims in an abusive relationship, especially when the victims cannot see the abuse themselves.