Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Promoting Safe and Healthy Relationships
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), a nationwide campaign to spotlight the issue of abusive relationships among teenagers and empower young people to build safe and respectful partnerships. With one in three teens experiencing some form of dating abuse, the importance of education, prevention, and resources cannot be overstated.
This month encourages conversations about recognizing unhealthy behaviors, understanding consent, and providing resources to teens affected by dating violence.
Three Facts:
1. Teen dating violence includes physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse, as well as digital abuse like excessive texting and online harassment.
2. Only 33% of teens in abusive relationships ever tell anyone about the abuse, often due to shame or fear of reprisal.
3. Survivors are more likely to experience issues like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse later in life.
How You Can Help:
1. Raise awareness by organizing workshops or social media campaigns about the signs of dating abuse.
2. Encourage teens to talk openly about their relationships with trusted adults, peers, or school counselors.
3. Support programs that teach teens how to establish healthy relationship boundaries and improve emotional communication.
Three Resources:
- Love is Respect – Information, quizzes, and a hotline for teens and their parents.
- Break the Cycle – Legal advocacy and education supporting teens in abusive relationships.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Teen Dating Violence – Offers access to help and prevention tools for teens and caregivers.
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