JACKSON TWP — Nearly nine years after losing his daughter, Gary Cuccia continues his fight against dating violence.

Cuccia, a chiropractor in New Alexandria, shared his tragic story with nearly 600 10th-grade students at Seneca Valley Intermediate High School.

“The pain never goes away. It’s a tough thing to live with,” Cuccia said. “For me, doing advocacy is a way of channeling that pain off into something meaningful in a way that maybe will save someone else’s life.”

His daughter, Demi Brae Cuccia, was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend, John Mullarkey, on Aug. 15, 2007.

She had celebrated her 16th birthday one day earlier and passed her driver’s permit test earlier that fateful day.

“She was full of life. She was very well-liked,” Gary Cuccia said.

It was later found out that Demi Brae Cuccia got out of the relationship because Mullarkey was controlling.

Mullarkey was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first degree murder. He slit his throat after stabbing Cuccia, but survived the suicide attempt.

“He decided he couldn’t deal with the breakup,” Cuccia said.

“He couldn’t deal with the fact that my daughter didn’t want to date him anymore.”

Gary Cuccia later founded the Demi Brae Cuccia Awareness Organization, which aims to raise awareness and combat teen dating violence.

More information on the organization can be found at www.demibrae.com.

“I never in a million years dreamed I would be doing advocacy about dating violence, something I never knew anything about before losing my daughter,” Cuccia said.

He also made appearances on Today, the Laura Ingraham Show and The Huckabee Report to share his story and advocacy.

He and his wife led a movement to have legislation in place for schools to teach the dangers of teen dating violence and safety measures that can be taken.

Their letter for legislation was sent to every state representative and senator.

Only four legislators responded.

“I thought it was disheartening,” Cuccia said.

However, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-77th, in Centre County took notice and introduced House Bill 2026, the “Demi Brae Cuccia Bill.”

The bill was later passed, but as part of Act 104, which instead of mandating education of teen dating violence, only “strongly recommended” high schools to teach the subject.

“It’s just opening up the dialogue and having a conversation about this just to talk about it,” Cuccia said.

Statistics from www.breakthecycle.org say teenage girls are three times more likely to face relationship abuse than adult women.

They also say one in three teenagers will experience some form of dating abuse.

“The one in three statistic is what really got me,” said 10th-grade student Shirlann Harmon. “Just sitting with two of your greatest friends on either side of you, the one in three statistic is really scary.”

Principal Matthew Delp said the presentation was part of the 10th grade class’ health curriculum.

“It’s a great way to connect the reality of what we teach and a real tragedy,” Delp said.

Wristbands and informational pamphlets were also given at the presentation.

Other students said Cuccia’s story was educational.

“There are people who are too afraid to come out and say stuff,” said student Carter Moriarity.

“If you notice one of your friends is going through a situation like this, you need to speak up and talk to them.”

“It’s a good idea to spread the word to the kids to understand,” said fellow student Andrew Bachik of the presentation.

“Teenage kids don’t always understand what’s happening outside the classroom.”