Perryton ISD SHAC plans off‑campus sessions, small-group outreach to address teen dating violence and consent

At a meeting of the Perryton ISD Student Health Advisory Council, members and community partners discussed plans to address teen dating violence and consent during February's awareness activities and outlined a preference for off'campus sessions and small group work because of funding and confidentiality limits.

Council members said they want to hold a panel or Q&A for students during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and to include a range of adult perspectives, including men, divorced and single adults, and people with varied life experiences. "I'd like to have, you know, someone that's divorced or someone that's single, someone that's, you know, a real wide variety," said Brandy Cunningham, the high school counselor.

Why it matters: Council members described patterns of stalking, harassment and boundary violations among local students and said early, practical education about consent and healthy relationships could prevent escalation to physical violence. Members also stressed that some…