One in three 14-year-olds have been in an abusive relationship.
Press Release – Atlanta, Ga. (June 28, 2016) – With recent findings determining that one in three 14-year-olds has experienced physical, sexual or psychological abuse within a dating relationship, rising to 44 percent by the time American young people graduate from college, teen dating violence (TDV) is a serious and widespread problem that continues to take parents and their children by surprise. In an effort to educate and prevent teen dating violence, the non-profit Jennifer Ann’s Group has been producing video games to stop TDV for the past nine years. Today, the nonprofit organization announces the winners of its ninth annual “Life. Love. Game Design Challenge.”
After Drew Crecente’s 18-year-old daughter was murdered by her ex-boyfriend, he founded Jennifer Ann’s Group to increase awareness about teen dating violence as well as provide educational information to help teens, tweens, and young adults identify and avoid abusive relationships. The non-profit started out by distributing leaflets, bookmarks and other printed materials across the United States, but since 2008, it has been running a game design challenge, and the interactive approach is working.
Research has shown that the most difficult thing for teenagers is seeking or accepting help. To that end, exploring concepts behind relationship abuse through games, at their own pace and often outside the classroom, has proven to be more effective than traditional pen-and-paper learning on the subject in a school environment.
The “Life.Love. Game Design Challenge” has received worldwide attention since its inception by challenging game designers and developers to create video games designed to prevent teen dating violence. Once again, the annual challenge received registrations from around the world, including Argentina, Canada, France, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Tunisia, Turkey, UK, USA, Sweden and Vietnam.
Winners of the 9th Annual Life.Love. Game Design Challenge
- First Place ($8,000 prize) – “The Room Beneath the Rafters” – Luciano Sgarbi – UK / Sweden
- Second Place ($2,000 prize) – “Leaving” – Greg Heath-Kelly (Tetsudo) – UK
- Third Place ($800prize) – “Honeymoon” – Sandra Lara Castillo (SNDR) – UK
- Door Prize ($200 prize) – “A Casual Chat” – Andreas Lopez (Sphere 9) – USA
The winning games will soon be publicly available to play online through a web browser as well as on smartphones and tablets. Jennifer Ann’s Group current video games are available to play online at JAGga.me in addition to free downloads through several app stores: Amazon, Google Play, BlackBerry, iTunes and Windows Phone store.
