Capital High School’s Link Crew students spent Monday morning handing out 1,400 white ribbons to their fellow Bruins as a kickoff to the second national Dating Violence Awareness Week Feb. 5-9.

Seniors Katie Murray and Kassi Austin are campaign leaders and have learned a lot about how to get their message out in the process.

“We want to empower bystanders to step in to stop violence against women,” Murray said.

“We want men to stand up for women’s issues,” Austin added.

Students are wearing the ribbons on their shirts, jackets and backpacks to symbolize the pledges of men taking a stand against men’s violence against women.

The white ribbon pledge originated in Canada and advocates to never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women.

Link Crew advisor Kelley Morand says CHS changed it up a little so that both males and females can participate, focusing on dating violence specifically.

The message attached to the ribbons states: “Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence in a dating relationship. Wear a white ribbon for the National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week, February 5-9. Take a stand against violence in relationships!”

According to the American Bar Association, one in five female high school students reports being physically or sexually abused by a partner.

It claims that teen dating violence is rarely talked about among family, at school or even among teens. So, to raise awareness of the problem Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week was created.

Last week both Helena high schools heard a talk from Rae Spence, a young woman who survived dating violence. Spence is from Austin, Texas, and has appeared on such television shows as “20/20” and “Montel.” This is the second year Link Crew has been involved in bringing Spence to Helena.

Her story emphasizes the dangers of treating dating violence lightly. Spence dated Marcus McTear for two years in which time he became more controlling and aggressive. Spence was unable to receive help from the schools or the courts and changed schools.

“The only way to protect yourself is to leave,” said Spence.

If things do seem to be leading down an abusive path, she said, “Cut the rope right then.”

McTear killed his next girlfriend, Ortralla Mosely, by stabbing her to death at school.

Spence speaks at assemblies and gatherings all over the country trying to convince teens and adults to take dating violence seriously.

Two of the girls in the Link Crew said they had dated boys who were controlling, but they didn’t realize it at the time.

“I would have never noticed anything bad,” said one. “I would have defended him and gave him the benefit of the doubt.”

“It is really important to get the word out,” said Palma Tiberi , a Link Crew junior, adding that it happens everywhere.

This is Nicole Johnson’s first year with Link Crew, and she says she joined as way to get involved helping in the community.

Link Crew takes on many issues such as tobacco prevention and bullying. It has even helped out cleaning up parks and planting trees on Earth Day.

Johnson, Tiberi, Murray and Austin recently traveled to Idaho to share their information about Youth Outreach for Victim Assistance Project.

As a mentor site of YOVA, CHS students shared their work with a new YOVA site—the domestic violence coalition in Thompson Falls, which also does dating violence prevention in Sanders County.

Austin says she is taking away a new outlook on life from her experiences with Link Crew.

Murray is delighted to take with her all the training that will come in handy down the road.

“This is who I want to be,” says Murray, “A mentor working possibly for the Montana Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Violence.”