Press Release  It starts with us

Pittsfield — Middle and high school students from Berkshire County engaged the lieutenant governor, district attorney and state and local officials about building healthy relationships, respecting others and social challenges facing their generation during an inspiring talk held Thursday in the DA’s Pittsfield office.

The students attended a one-hour roundtable discussion at which Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito introduced the Governor’s RESPECTfully campaign, the state's first youth initiative in more than 20 years. The awareness and prevention campaign for students ages 12 to 18 grew out of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, led by Lt. Gov. Polito. The campaign's message is that everyone deserves respect, honesty and open communication. It aims to help teens identify escalating behaviors that lead to unhealthy or unsafe relationships.

Joining the Lieutenant governor and Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington were Kelly Dwyer, executive director of the Governor's Council, Sen. Adam G. Hinds, Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer, North Adams Mayor Tom Bernard, and representatives/students from the Elizabeth Freeman Center, Boys & Girls Club Of The Berkshires, Girls Incorporated of the Berkshires, ROPE, Richmond Consolidated Schools, The Central Berkshire Regional School District, Pittsfield Public Schools, and the Railroad Street Youth Project. The group viewed three videos to elicit discussion and encourage conflict resolution.

The students showed knowledge and understanding of the issues beyond their years. Their public comments about treating others with respect drew robust praise. Lt. Gov. Polito said the students left her very impressed. She also thanked DA Harrington for creating the Berkshire County Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force and Steering Committee.

"I feel proud and inspired," DA Harrington told the students. "We adults have learned more from you than you learned from us. Thank you to the lieutenant governor for leading this charge and visiting Berkshire County."

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