Category: Teen Dating Violence

Simple Ways to Practice Self-Care

6/6/2019

By: Cheyenne Taylor

Why is it that when we make our mental to-do list each day, we never add taking care of ourselves to that list? Thinking about yourself is something that is often painted in a negative light with terms like self-absorbed and self-centered coming to mind, but what about self-care? We tend to hold ourselves to higher standards than others. We make ourselves the exception to the golden rule, “treat others how you would like to be treated.” When we should really treat ourselves how we treat others. Think of how much happier you would be if you put as much energy into yourself as you put into your job or your friends and family.

Taking care of yourself should not be a second thought or something that is planned last. In the long run, you benefit so much more when you take care of yourself. You will feel and look better, and your attitude will improve. As a result, your social and professional life will also improve because you will have added something to combat the daily stressors you come into contact with. Self-care does not have to be a hassle, but it should become a part of your daily routine like taking a shower or brushing your teeth.

Meditation: find five to ten minutes out of your day to sit comfortably, relax your muscles and clear your mind.
Eating healthy: Prepare a guilt-free meal or find a cool restaurant and try something new.
Earthing: Coming into direct contact with the earth. Take off your shoes and walk in your backyard. Feel the grass beneath your feet. There is actual research saying this has benefits.
Clean your home: Deep clean, disinfect all the things in your home, get organized, move some furniture around and switch up your living space.
Go all out with your hygiene routine, use a face mask or give yourself a nice scalp massage.
Write a nice thing about yourself each day and put it in a jar. It makes you appreciate yourself and whenever you see the jar your spirits will be lifted.
Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
Journal daily or weekly.
Start going to sleep earlier.
Get creative! Start a new art project or attend a community class.

Technology: Harassment, Abuse, and Intimidation

5/1/2019

By: Savannah Tipton

We live in an age of technology where nearly every person over the age of 15 has a phone. Not only do we have phones, but we are on them constantly. We enjoy playing games, exploring social media, messaging friends and family, and so on. Many people relate to the daily behavior of checking their phone before going to bed at night and again when they wake up in the morning. Younger children also have access to utilize phones, iPads, tablets, etc. While technology can be a tool for learning and connections, it can also be abused. This constant connection to the outside world can create huge risks to someone’s safety and personal well-being.

Perpetrators of domestic violence and sexual assault often use technology to monitor someone’s online activity, harass, intimidate, threaten, or otherwise control a victim. Victim advocates are available to complete technology safety plans for survivors suffering from digital abuse or harassment. Digital abuse can be used to manipulate both domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

Types of abuse perpetrated through technology:

Catfishing: Done through accounts where someone is lying about their identity or posting as if they were someone else (often used to initiate a sexual or romantic relationship with the victim)
Cyberbullying: Repeated harassment or intimidation online; this might include threats and can escalate quickly (especially for teens and young adults)
Cyberstalking: Monitoring someone’s location through GPS, social media, hacking their accounts, or otherwise installing spyware or location devices
Trolling: deliberately posting upsetting statements, comments, or photos to provoke a response
Pressuring someone to send explicit images of themselves, emails, messages, videos, etc.
Distributing or posting sexually explicit images of someone without their consent
Taking sexually explicit pictures/videos/recordings without consent
Hacking into someone’s social media or email accounts
Unsolicited sharing of pornographic or explicit images

If you or someone you know is experiencing digital abuse, please contact our confidential crisis line. Advocates are a confidential source of support available to help survivors navigate these kind of situations and can connect you to community resources.

Confidential Crisis Line: 317-731-6140