In high school, it isn’t uncommon for people to “put on a different face”, wanting to be a better version of yourself and possibly trying to escape what’s happening at home. It’s difficult to point out a student at school who has been or is being affected by violence at home. With all the faces that we passed by, how do we know? The harder question being: what do we do when a friend comes to us?

A couple of months ago, one of my closest friends stopped me while we were walking one day. What she told me- her father had gotten angry the night before, her mom and she had to leave the house. Driving around to late hours of the night, trying to avoid a dangerous situation. With this information I reflected on what she had told me of her home life, I knew it wasn’t the first time.

In school teachers don’t give lessons on what we do when we’re affected by violence. So what do we do? Where do we go from there? The tricky part is, minors can’t get away from this as easily as an adult could get away from another.

If a friend were to come to you with information like this, or you are dealing with this currently, here’s some guidance:

Gently tell them that you’re concerned, and you would like to help. Let them know that they aren’t getting out alone. Ask them questions, it’s best to not assume. Try asking questions such as “Have you tried calling any hotlines?” or “Can I find helpful resources for you?” Check in frequently, this will help make sure you know if the situation has gotten worse, and if any additional steps need to be taken. If you witness firsthand danger or believe your friend could be in very serious danger: get out and Call 911.

It’s time that students at Tahoma -or anywhere- don’t feel like they have to live in a bad situation feeling alone. If you think or know that a student walking through our halls is a victim of violence tries starting up a conversation, ask them how they’re doing. If you feel lost you can also try talking to our school counselors for guidance, they know the right steps to take. Conversations can save lives, you never know what talking may do.

Below is a list of hotlines and services for our area, feel free to use them at any time.

• National Child Abuse Hotline: (1-800) 422-4453 (Available 24/7)

• Child Protective Services in King County:  (1-800)-609-8764

• Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/safety/report-abuse