The City of Vicksburg Domestic Violence Victims’ Empowerment Program and Haven House Family Shelter are teaming up to host the Love is Not Abuse PSA contest.

The contest challenges teens to create an original video public service announcement (PSA) to promote dating abuse awareness among teens.

Students will be eligible to receive community service credit hours for their participation in this contest.

Each PSA should be directed to teens and focus on teen dating violence. Local and national helpline information can also be included in the PSA. Some possible PSA themes include: identifying abusive behavior (emotional, physical, verbal or sexual) in dating relationships, speaking out against dating violence, standing up to an abusive friend or helping an abused friend.

The contest is open to all ninth- through twelfth-grade students in the Warren County area.

PSA submissions must be a video production in either English or Spanish.

The PSA must be 58 seconds in length. Entries that exceed the time limit will be disqualified.

All submissions must be original and directed to other teens. Video entries must be submitted in DVD format. Each submission group must identify a student production leader to be listed on the application as the primary contact person. However, all participants must be named on the application and complete a separate release form. Please note that rules are subject to change.

Three submissions will be selected as finalists by a panel of peers and domestic violence professionals. The finalists and other participants will be recognized in October 2015 during the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The top winners will receive cash awards and be submitted for local broadcast.

Students may only participate in the production of one PSA. Every student involved in the creation of the PSA must sign the consent release form along with their parent/legal guardian.

PSAs cannot include copyrighted material, such as music (original music is accepted), excerpts from movies, television and/or music videos; profane language; weapons or portray extreme violence; pornographic or other obscene, illegal or racially or otherwise morally offensive material; and/or mention any commercial merchandise or have actors displaying clothing with an insignia.

Video submission, entry form and all release forms must be received by 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, 2015.

Entries should be submitted to Municipal Court Judge Toni Terrett, c/o Court Services, 820 Veto Street Vicksburg, MS 39180.