Published September 29, 2025
By THEODORA MILLER
The Our Voices club, a fourth year student-led justice group formed in collaboration with the Monterey County Rape Crisis center, is organizing a student-led march to raise awareness against teen dating violence and domestic violence, which will be held during lunchtime on Oct. 9.
Students are encouraged to join and help raise recognition for National Domestic Violence Awareness month which falls in October.
The club’s adviser Kory Hatcher worked at survivor safehouses in the Central Valley before moving to Monterey Bay to pursue her master’s in social work.
“I’m committed to helping,” Hatcher says.
The march will specifically focus on teen dating violence, something that Hatcher says has grown in prevalence among youth.
“It’s really important to bring awareness to signs that people could look for,” advises Hatcher.
Members of the Our Voices club make plans for raising suicide awareness. photo by THEODORA MILLER
The club’s president, junior Angela Cahill, hopes the march will be educational as well as “something fun to do.” Cahill joined the club to stop shame around these systematic issues and help create a safe environment for survivors to share their stories.
Fellow junior Jette Moreland affirms that this is an important issue for the Our Voices club.
“I would say to teens in unhealthy and/or violent relationships to seek safe and confidential spaces that provide positivity as they branch away from their harmful relationships,” Moreland says. “Healing is best when you’re surrounded by people who care and uplift you as you make challenging decisions to keep yourself safe. It’s always important to prioritize your well-being in the long run.”
The Our Voices club will have two other events this year including a repeat of the successful “Take Back The Night” march from last year, done in collaboration with The Feminist Club. The club’s main focus this year will be social justice, particularly gender-based inequality and violence.
“Everyone is welcome,” Cahill says.
More information can be found with on-campus advisors, CHS health teacher Leigh Cambra and librarian Phil Crawford.
The Our Voices club says their Oct. 9 march in honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness month will be an inclusive, fun and informative event.
