The Month of February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Teen dating violence is a serious issue that affects millions of young people every year. It is defined as physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional abuse in a dating relationship. Dating violence can occur between two people who are currently in a romantic relationship, or between individuals who were previously involved in a romantic relationship.
One of the most worrying aspects of teen dating violence is that it often goes unnoticed and unreported. Teenagers are frequently afraid to speak up and seek help, either because they are afraid of retaliation from their partner, or because they feel ashamed or embarrassed about what is happening to them. Still, others may not know what a healthy relationship is supposed to look like but know that something isn’t right in their relationship or are generally unhappy with it.
If you think that a young person in your life is suffering from dating violence, it is important to reach out to them and offer support. Let them know that you are there for them and that they are not alone. Encourage them to seek help and support; there are many resources available for young people who are experiencing dating violence. They can seek help from a trusted adult, a school counselor, or organizations such as The Safe Place, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, all of which offer confidential support and information to young people who are in abusive relationships.
It is also important for adults to educate themselves about teen dating violence, the red flags to look out for, and how to talk to young people about healthy relationships. That way they can teach young people about the warning signs of dating violence, what boundaries are and how to uphold them, and how to recognize and avoid abusive relationships. Also, encourage teens to communicate openly and honestly about their relationships, and to seek help if they are in an abusive situation.
By being aware of the warning signs, offering support and resources, and educating ourselves and young people about healthy relationships, we can help to prevent dating violence and ensure that all young people have the opportunity to live in safe and healthy relationships.
Hotlines:
The Safe Place: 1-888-554-2501 or 501-354-1884
National Domestic Violence: 1-800-799-7233
National Teen Dating Abuse: 1-866-331-9474
Resources:
https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/teendatingviolence/fastfact.html
https://www.loveisrespect.org/
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