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Teen Girls, 5 Tips of Protection

Last Monday, Divas In Defense provided information to parents and the alike on the warning signs an adolescent woman may be in a dangerous relationship. Now that the warning signs have been unveiled, we’d like to provide you with tips on how girls can protect themselves. Because roughly 1.5 million U.S. high school students report being harmed in the last year, education on prevention and protection are important. Dosomething.org reports a study from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) stating “Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior.” With 8 states having no legislation on the books regarding violent dating relationships as domestic abuse, it is important that teens are told how to protect themselves. With teens are unable to legally file domestic abuse charges against violent partners, consequently, they are unable to get restraining orders. Below are five great tips on how teen girls can protect themselves.

1. If someone invades your space, forget about being a “nice girl”.

2. Stay sober in social situations.

3. Forgo any type of relationship with men who speak negatively.

4. Have alternate transportation incase the date is not going appropriately

5. Trust your gut.

GET HELP

If you or someone you know is a victim or emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse, seek help. If you are the abused party, the witness of the abuse, or the abuser please speak with an adult in your life or call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 (1-866-331-8453 for the hearing impaired) or online at www.loveisrespect.org. Help is immediate, local, accessible 24/7, and confidential.

Kick-Ass Women in Film

Every Friday, there is a new release; so, we flock to the movie theater in droves to spend on average, in some cities, $9.50 a ticket. For those who are not so financially blessed, Netflix, On Demand, or HBO help us become stay-at-home movie goers. In honor of Friday, the unofficial movie night, Divas In Defense would like to honor a couple movies with the best kick-ass women.

What’s Love Got to Do With It?
Starring Angela Basset as the heroine Tina Turner. This real life classic is visual empowerment.

Enough
Starring Jennifer Lopez as a women conned into an abusive relationship teaches up survival and the friendship that is needed to escape abuse.

Teen Abuse: 5 Warning Signs for Parents

Too often, scars are not only physical; they are commonly psychological scrapes and bruises used to intimidate and break the soul of a person. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study that estimates 9% of all teens are victims of dating abuse. Due to maturity levels, most teens have a hard time discerning heated relationship spats or constructive criticism from emotional or mental abuse. As a parent, friend, relative, or mentor of young girls actively engaged in dating it is important to watch for the warning signs of emotional abuse at the hands of a partner. ABC’s 20/20 compiled a list of warning signs that she’s dating an active abuser or potential abuser.

1. Isolation: Before she met him she had a more active social, school, and/or religious life.

2. Intimidation: He may not physically harm her, yet frequently breaks or hits inanimate objects.

3. Degrading “jokes”: He may call her a demeaning pet name, then laugh it off in jest.

4. Critical: Constant criticism of appearance, talents, or abilities.

5. Imitation: He may come from a “tragic” home life of abuse as a witness or victim.

The results of abuse manifest themselves in various ways. One common result, is what 1 in 4 girls says, is pressured sex, according to a study conducted by stayteen.org. Some professionals amount the behavior of mental or emotional abuse to pressure partners into sexual intercourse as ‘psychological induced’ rape. To protect young women, it is important to arm them with knowledge surrounding the three different types of abuse: physical, emotional, and sexual. One or more of these abuse types may be at play at the time.

GET HELP

If you or someone you know is a victim or emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse, seek help. If you are the abused party, the witness of the abuse, or the abuser please speak with an adult in your life or call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 (1-866-331-8453 for the hearing impaired) or online at www.loveisrespect.org. Help is immediate, local, accessible 24/7, and confidential.

Is It Time to Intervene Your Teen?

Signs of Dating Abuse In Teens

It’s hard to believe that we’re already into the month of February. In just two short weeks Valentine’s Day will arrive and many couples will celebrate with home-cooked meals for their significant other, heart-shaped boxes of chocolate, and large amounts of conversation hearts. Even though February is a love-filled month, it’s the perfect time to get educated about dating abuse; particularly teen dating abuse.

February is recognized by President Barack Obama as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention month. One-in-four high school females have been sexually or physically abused, so chances are you have a friend or know someone in an abusive relationship. How can you tell? Here are a few of the signs:

– sudden isolation from friends
– bodily injuries like cuts or bruises
– dramatically different behavior around his/her boyfriend/girlfriend
– over-load of texts or calls from significant other wanting to know where they are
– excessive surveillance by significant other of texts or calls

If you or someone you know experiences any or all of these signs, don’t be afraid to seek help. Self-defense classes are an excellent way to stay prepared, even in a serious relationship. Divas In Defense offers such classes for teens and young adults, so please check out divasindefense.com for more information.

Visit www.loveisrespect.org for even more information about teen dating abuse statistics, the signs to look for, and how to seek proper help.

Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared!

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Countless crimes and attacks we see daily through the media can easily make us lose focus of the most common attackers and abusers, those we know. According to the United States Department of Justice, one- eight attacks on women is someone we DO NOT know. This means the other 87.5% are our fathers, brothers, bosses, co-workers, church members, neighbors and significant others.

Unfortunately, we do not always report our loved ones and those we know to local authorities. The inaccuracy of 87.5% truly being in the upper 90s reminds us of the importance of protecting ourselves and our girls.

One in four teen dating relationships are abusive. One in four college aged young women will experience attempted or completed rape. The fear of our little girls growing up is scary enough, even without the reality of the countless crimes they may have to endure. Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared!

Click here for more information on registering you and/or a teen for self-defense classes.

Divas ROC with Kicks & Coffee

Saturday, January 25th 8:30am-10am, kick off your morning with self defense.

(For Immediate Release) Refreshments and empowerment will be served this Saturday, January 25th 8:30am-10am, at ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa. Held at 3402 Piedmont Rd Ne, Atlanta, Fierce & Fabulous Self-Defense is an introductory, hand-to-hand combative training program. With one in six girls estimated to become a victim of attempted or completed sexual assault by the age of 18, Divas In Defense, since 2010, has been dedicated to its mission of empowering women with the training and tools imperative to their personal safety. Saturday’s Fierce & Fabulous Self-Defense introductory is being hosted at ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa, bringing the first Kicks & Coffee.

Divas In Defense believes in the mission of ROC House, a woman’s fitness center and spa that is solely “geared towards the empowerment of women and their over all health. They’ve gone over and beyond to obtain machinery specifically designed for women” says Skye Walton, Director of Client Relations (Divas in Defense). As the first of event of 2014 for Divas in Defense, Walton hopes it is a catalyst for many more Kicks & Coffee to come; “I hope women come out for the camaraderie, the sisterhood, and to gain the right techniques to protect themselves,” Walton. Register for only $35 at divasindefense.com

About ROC House Fitness & Spa

ROC House Women’s Fitness Spa is nirvana: a well-rounded shelter that seeks to physically, spiritually and emotionally eliminate the stress in women’s daily lives. Founded by former NBA point guard, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, ROC House Fitness ask women of all sizes, ages and shapes to involve them in their commitment to a lifestyle of health, beauty and wellness. The Spa is located in the premiere Atlanta neighborhood of Buckhead. For more information, visit www.rochousefitnesspa.com

About Divas In Defense

2010, Divas In Defense was started by two brothers, Cole Parker and Christopher Britto, who witnessed domestic violence first hand. They are now fathers with daughters and significant others pledging to prevent the violence which was witnessed, to as many women and girls as they can. Divas In Defense is helmed out of Atlanta, Ga and Beverly Hills, California.

How To Date an Online Mate: Five Simple Steps to First Date Safety

Grown tired of running into Mr. Wrong and are contemplating online dating; Don’t Be Scared, Be Prepared!

Here are a few safety tips to safeguard yourself for the “first date” with an individual you met online:

1. Keep a record of any pertinent information you have on the individual. Screenshot the profile of the person you are meeting, carbon copy friend or family member on any text or email confirming the meeting location.
2. Choose a well lit, public place for the first date. Restaurants, coffee shops, pottery painting places and lounges provide security and ample volumes for intimate conversation in a controlled environment. We recommend driving your personal vehicle to ensure yourself the option of leaving when ready.
3. Take a pictures and forward to a friend. Quick snaps of the license plate and/or a “selfie” with the individual, can easily be forwarded to a confidant. Should anything go awry, these simple photos can serve as a matter of life or death.
4. Keep friends informed of next steps and update your location constantly and consistently. Giving up-to-date information and progress can lessen a potential problem should the need for help arise. This is imperative to any potential future investigations.
5. Is your residence easy to camouflage? If you live in an apartment or community, meet the person in a community area like the mailboxes or close to street. Never let a first date pick you up at your door. If giving an address for GPS purposes, give a neighbors or crossroads.

Feel free to download a “Free Guide to Online Dating” from WeLoveDates.com

How To: 6 Diva Tips for Stopping Stalkers

Did You Know One in Six Women Will Be A VICTIM of stalking?

Let me guess, you thought only celebrities had stalkers? Think again!

This growing epidemic which often leads to violence or murder, finally received its National recognition. On December 31, 2013, President Obama declared January as Stalking Awareness Month.

Here are 8 tips for you to protect yourself from being a victim of stalking:

1. Put a lock on your life!

Technology, although helpful, is a gateway to multiple types of crimes. We are often overly concerned with remembering our passwords, that we create less secure ones for our own comfort.
Create passwords that have high levels of security. Microsoft suggests having passwords with at least eight characters which DO NOT contain complete words.

2. They’re Free Anyway.

“Nothing in life is free.” Well, email can be! Using a simple “free email addresses” search on the web, we were able to find the “Top 11 Free Email Services” as of last month. Use multiple seperate email accounts for various purposes: personal bills and finances; a “sign up” account (for things you “sign up” for on the web); correspondence with family and friends; business

3. There Are No Reservations, You Do Not Have To Check In!

It’s understood how exciting it can be to stay social, using “selfies” and streaming video to connect with friends on the web. We strongly encourage not using the “check-in” feature on various apps to give your location until you are ready to depart. Apps like these keep an accurate account of your most visited areas making it easy to track and locate you.

4. Shredding Is Not Only For Cheese.

As hard as we try to be an eco-friendly Nation with electronic versions of everything; truth is, we still use paper. It would be understandably simple to mistake an overdue bill as junk mail when struggle is present. This is one of those good news, bad news scenarios. Good news: This too shall pass. Bad news: Personal Information and/or Identity Theft Invest in protecting your personal information, your local office supply store has inexpensive shredders (preferably one that shreds expired credit cards also)… Go get one!

5. Okay, You Are Cute! Now Put Your Badge Away!

If you are no longer at work, please take off your darn work badge. Do you realize having your name and workplace as a personal billboard is potentially life threatening? Someone can pose as a utility provider, mail man or jogger and have only those two things for you to feel comfortable enough to let down your guard if only for a few seconds. By calling your name and identifying where you work as a way to “me too” with you; those few seconds you are attempting to sort through your mental Contacts can allow an attacker to force his way into your home or you into his car.

6. Safeguard Your Smartphone

It’s funny how dumb our smartphones make us. Cell phones have evolved from a novelty to a necessity to many of us. Both parents and teens developed a dependency on them divulging every aspect of our lives willfully. It possesses our most personal photos; communication with family and friends and even our daily finances. If you could print all the information from your phone and put it in front of you, you would buy a vault to protect it. Add a simple pass code on your phone PIN, swipe or password to make your life line less accessible.

Find out how to “Prevent Your Ex From Cyber-Stalking“

Your New You Resolution!

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”

It is a New Year and time for CHANGE! Every year we make promises we don’t keep. Yeah, yeah, we go all out for most of January, some of February to fall off completely by March. Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, make New You resolutions! You owe it to yourself to purge unhealthy habits and relationships.

Yes, it would be good to lose a few pounds. Believe it or not, that is the easy part. Change your diet to a healthy one and “Watch the Weight Evaporate!” The bigger issue is shedding the extra pounds of dead weight you carry in your relationships, at work, in your home and much more.

Nothing takes the past away like the future.

What have you learned from your mistakes of yester-year? Put together a plan of action and set your course to “New You!” I can tell you, 2014 will be filled with ups and downs; what are you gaining in your losses? A new year gives you the opportunity to shake the dead weight and embark on another year of successes and failures. Remember: Falling forward is still progress!

Take some time and evaluate items in your life. Does your friendship bring more hardship? Is your mate dead weight? Does your workplace need a change of pace?

“We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.” – Kenji Miyazawa

Don’t Be A Target: How To Protect Your Credit Card During The Holidays

Black Friday data breach will make a very UN-Merry Christmas for over 40 million customers as discount retailer TARGET becomes a target for credit card thieves.

Over 40 million TARGET customers were targeted in a major hacking that compromised accounts from all major credit card companies. Media giant, CNN, reported that cards used in Target’s brick-and-mortar stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, may have been impacted. Although, this is nearly impossible to protect yourself from these kinds of attacks; consistent monitoring of your bank and credit card accounts can alert you of unauthorized purchases.

Incorporating a few practices into your daily routine can help keep your cards and account numbers safe. For example, keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates and the phone number to report fraud for each company in a secure place. Don’t lend your card to anyone — even your kids or roommates — and don’t leave your cards, receipts, or statements around your home or office. When you no longer need them, shred them before throwing them away.

Other fraud protection practices include:

1. Don’t give your account number to anyone on the phone unless you’ve made the call to a company you know to be reputable. If you’ve never done business with them before, do an online search first for reviews or complaints.

2. Don’t give your account number to anyone on the phone unless you’ve made the call to a company you know to be reputable. If you’ve never done business with them before, do an online search first for reviews or complaints.

3. Carry your cards separately from your wallet. It can minimize your losses if someone steals your wallet or purse. And carry only the card you need for that outing.

4. During a transaction, keep your eye on your card. Make sure you get it back before you walk away.

5. Never sign a blank receipt. Draw a line through any blank spaces above the total.

6. Save your receipts to compare with your statement.

7. When using public ATMs and paying at gas pumps, make sure to “shake” the card reader before inserting card. Thieves often make mock readers and place them over ATM and gas pumps to “steal” credit card numbers and PINs. If the reader jiggles or is not secure, DO NOT insert your card! Alert store or bank if possible.

8. Open your bills promptly — or check them online often — and reconcile them with the purchases you’ve made.

9. Report any questionable charges to the card issuer.

10. Notify your card issuer if your address changes or if you will be traveling.

11. Don’t write your account number on the outside of an envelope.

For more information regarding credit card protection, please read “Protecting Against Credit Card Fraud” by U.S. Federal Trade Commission at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0216-protecting-against-credit-card-fraud