A Little Voice

Written by Melissa Cruz, Prevention Educator

March 2026

When I teach in elementary schools, joy comes with knowing this is a special experience. Students still light up at the chance to answer questions. Hands go up with the hope of being called on, sweet moments to see such enthusiasm teaching the younger grades.

I teach at this elementary school every year and it’s one of my favorite schools. Each time it’s a new set of students. As I was introduced to the class, the teacher shared I work for Crime Victim Services.

I heard a little voice say, “Crime Victim Services – my sister has a brick there, with her name.”

We have a memorial garden at Crime Victim Services and bricks are placed with names on them in honor of homicide victims.

I remember how time felt suspended in the air, I could hear the teacher saying words, but my focus was on this little girl. She was in the front, so I went nearby her, bent down in front of her, and quietly asked, “What’s her name?”

She shared her sister’s name with me. Then I softly asked the young girl, “What’s your name?” She smiled and shared her name with me.

I had to begin teaching, like switching into assignment mode. But my heart stayed in that moment. Honestly, I cannot forget her little voice and her words, “…My sister has a brick there, with her name.”

1 in 3 teens will experience dating violence. This is not just a number or statistic. This has names and faces. This is real. And the teenage sister of this little girl from elementary school was murdered by another teen.

When I go into the school and teach, I don’t know who has experienced being hurt in a relationship, whether at home or from a dating partner. I don’t know when someone will write me a note or ask to talk with me, sharing a difficulty or disclosing harm that has happened. What I do know is that they do.

When I went back to that elementary school the next week, I taught a lesson on setting boundaries. One of my questions was about hugging and who likes or doesn’t like hugs. This little girl, who shared such a hard truth with me on that first visit, told the class that she doesn’t hug strangers. Yet that day, when she saw me, she came to me and gave a hug.

What an honor to stand before these children and hopefully teach them how to stay safe in relationships as they grow. Our children are worthy of being protected.