Soroptimist International of Stuart has embarked on a new Project--TRUST (Teen Relations Using Safe Tactics), a teen dating violence prevention program. The mission is to: "Provide opportunities to build healthy relationships among youths in Martin County by using strategies to reduce relationship violence.”

The project was started due to the growing concern that an alarming number of young women are becoming victims of dating violence. Forty percent of girls aged 14 to 17 know of someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. And, boys are not the only perpetrators. Along with this statistic comes a long list of reasons that prompt violence and an even longer list of current and future problems the abuse instigates.

Currently, there are no laws that address the problem of teen dating violence, but there is a pending Florida statute to address the problem. Even after passage, building awareness for the problem and how to tackle solutions will be most important.

TRUST was formed after Soroptimist took a productive step by inviting Brandy Carlson from the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence to speak to Soroptimists, representatives from the school system, children's advocacy groups, domestic abuse shelters, state government and the press.

With the guidance of Robyn Vanover from Martin County High School, Soroptimist International of Stuart has already donated $5,000 to Dr. David Anderson Middle School to begin the Safe School Ambassador program (which trains students to be role models, report and derail abuse). Other schools are under consideration and one-day events, as well as workshops are planned.