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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1998-04-15, Page 18MDL DOORS 887-6974 D Keep the Doors to the Future Open Beautiful Styles to Make your House a Home Available through your local MDL Dealer WE TOOLS & EQUIPMENT CWK11R SAE CMK11R Metric/Metriques RADFORD AUTO FARM AND INDUSTRIAL PARTS Blyth Brussels 523.9681 887-9661 JANN FLANDERS Writer wants friend back Eat-In Or Take-out BEENIE BUDDIES For Only $2.99 But only while supplies last! at the Blyth General Store Blyth 523-9785 Clinton Crown Lanes Open Bowling Friday 7 p.m. - Midnight Saturday 1 p.m. - Midnight V-, Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Birthday Parties, Group & Family Rates "Strike it up in your Spare Time" 482-7791 Victoria St ,Clinton PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1998. For Teens, By Teens Teens need to learn more about issue By Amy Crawford Jennifer was in her first year at university and was thrilled when Luke, a second year student and captain of the football team, approached her at a party and later asked her out. He was very attractive and he picked her up in his BMW. They went to dinner and, after a movie, Luke asked Jennifer if she would like to go back to his apartment for DEAR JANN, I have been best friends with "Marcia" for a long time. We did everything together. Two months ago she started going out with "Steve". Ever since, the two have been "stuck together like glue". I guess it is serious, they ignore me when I hang out with them. I really don't mind Steve, but I miss spending time with Marcia. I tried to confront her about her ignoring me, but she called me selfish and petty. I want to spend time with my best friend again, please, Jann, help me out. Despairing DESPAIRING, It's always hard to adjust when your best friend doesn't want to spend time with you. Approach her about having a girls' night out. Have you ever needed to talk about an important issue, but you had no one to turn to? Well now the local youth centre in Brussels, The Ark, has developed a program just for that situation. Teens Talking to Teens is an open discussion group designed for teens who need someone to talk to when there is no one else. This program was designed by Marylou Crosby, Cody Nichol and Sarah Seeds in early February and has been open to the public since mid- February. It can never hurt for a teen to have someone to talk to outside of the family. Often kids need to open up to someone who has no previous knowledge of the situation. In today's world who doesn't need someone to talk to? What happens during the program's time slot is confidential, what is heard in the building stays in the building. Confidentiality is based on trust; since we have no way to make each youth keep quiet, we take their word for it. Discussions range from relationships, substance abuse, school to even music or social events. Now some parents out there might be saying, "The whole town doesn't need to know our family's business!" So for situations like those we have set up a suggestion box, when you enter the building if coffee. Jennifer agreed to go for a short while. After arriving at the apartment, Luke began to make advances and Jennifer protested. Jennifer was very embarrassed that this was happening and didn't want to antagonize Luke. They were alone and she did not see any way out. He ignored her protests and raped her repeated for two hours. When he was finished, Luke nonchalantly drove Jennifer back to Although the two are "stuck together like glue", I'm sure they will be willing to spend just one evening apart. Try to understand her situation, someday you will likely be in Marcia's position. Don't whine and complain, it only makes Marcia want to spend less time with you. If you give the two their space they'll be more appreciative of you and she'll want to spend time with you. In the future this situation will become more frequent. DEAR JANN, I turned 18 two weeks ago. On the day of my birthday my parents proclaimed that I am to start to pay a monthly rent. That might be okay if I had a job, but I don't. Whenever I get a hold of some you have something on your mind, write it down on a piece of paper and slip it into the box. Although your topic might not be chosen for that week's discussion, there is always the next session. If your situation is urgent simply explain it to the youth volunteer or call that night, and he or she will arrange for someone to talk to you her residence. One of the most relevant yet uneducated problems facing teens in society today is rape and sexual assault. When defined by law, sexual assault is if you were forced to kiss, fondle or have sexual intercourse with a person or you were kissed or touched in a sexual way without your consent (with no sign of physical injury or abuse). Date rape is defined as a sexual money it is gone before I blink. I really can't pay rent. What should I tell my parents? Needing Money from Morris Twp. NEEDING MONEY, Civilly discuss your situation with your parents. In the meantime, if you are not already, start searching for a job. Volunteer to do extra chores at home in exchange for not paying rent. They will likely agree with that, but then, don't complain when they ask you to do chores. Also, it is a big help if you take the initiative and do work without being told. Send your problems or concerns to Jann Flanders, do North Huron- Citizen, PO Box 429, Blyth, ON NOM IHO. or they will sit down and help you. This is a great opportunity for kids with problems or questions about any situation. The program runs weekly, on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. There is no charge. So from now on when there's no one else to talk to head down to The Ark and someone will try to help you resolve the issue. assault which occurs in a dating or social situation. Some girls when confronted with this sort of situation blame themselves. One of the most common myths supporting this is that a person who gets raped deserves it, especially if she agreed to go to the man's house or ride in his car. The reality is that no one, male or female, deserves to be raped. Being in a man's house or car does not mean you have agreed to have sex with him. No one has the right to force you to engage in any sexual activity against your will. You always have the right to say "No". There are some early warning signs of teen dating violence. One is if the person you are dating is jealous and possessive toward you, won't let you have friends, checks up on you, won't accept breaking up. The person tries to control you by being very bossy, giving orders, making all the decisions or doesn't take your opinion seriously. Another sign is that they blame you when they mistreat you, say you provoked them, have a history of bad relationships and blames the other person for all problems. My reasons for writing this article stemmed from statistics that were handed out in health class. Some of the statistics say that one in four women surveyed were victims of rape or attempted rape, 84 per cent of those raped knew their attacker and 57 per cent of the rapes happened on dates. About 75 per cent of the men and at least 55 -per cent of the women involved in acquaintance rapes had been drinking or taking drugs just before the attack. Some advice for average teens is to make sure they have a healthy relationship, to learn to love and care within their family, learn to care for themselves, learn to care for friends. Then they will be ready to become involved in a one-on- one relationship. To help prevent sexual abuse/assaults from occurring make sure you set sexual liMits early in a relationship with verbal communication, understand that alcohol and drugs increase risk and be assertive and trust your instincts. If you don't feel comfortable, stay away. Gas Bar & Take-Out Ltd. • Chesterfried Chicken • Subs • Pizza • Burgers • Fries • Soft & Hard Ice Cream • Confectionery • Movies to Rent • Propane • Gas -(887-6951)- X marks the spot for a FREE COFFEE Corner Turnberry & Mill Streets, Brussels Teens can talk to teens at Ark We welcome your letters