According to the nonprofit Love is Respect, one in three teens experiences dating violence. In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, Love Is Respect holds a campaign to encourage those dedicated to ending domestic violence to show it by wearing orange every year on Feb. 12. Here’s teen advocate Shayla Rodriguez, age 16, on why she wears orange.

National Wear Orange Day is the day when teenagers all around the state will demonstrate their empowerment and courage against the issue of dating violence, and that is why I, Shayla Rodriguez, am wearing orange.

Orange is the color between yellow and red on the spectrum of visible light — not too much of yellow and not too much of red, but just the right amount of each. This color is a very bright color, just like how anyone should be “bright.” Nobody deserves to go through domestic violence or live in the black shadows.

I am a member of Teens Against Domestic Violence Advisory Board, in which we empower and seek voices to be heard. I wear orange because I believe that you, families, friends and loved ones deserve the right to be heard, and it’s an issue I am deeply passionate about changing. Let’s make that number of 1 out of 3 to 0 out 3. Just take a few seconds to cut a ribbon and put it around your arm. That small gesture will show someone who is suffering from domestic violence that they are not alone in this fight.

Shayla, 16, is a student at Hapeville Charter Career Academy and a member of the Teen Advisory Board at the Partnership Against Domestic Violence. You can apply to join the Teens Against Dating Violence Advisory Board by emailing claire.lisco@padv.org.

Passionate about ending teen dating violence in your community? Join PADV for a free dialogue around the issue at the 2019 Teen Summit at Decatur High School, March 2, 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Register here.