Spark Healthy Relationship Conversations #TEENDVAM

By:  Katie Foley

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, which raises awareness and sparks conversations when it comes to abuse in teen and early twenties relationships. While many may not think abuse happens to younger generations, we want you to know that dating violence is more common than one would think. One in three teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they hit the status of adulthood. We help educate the community on dating violence and encourage victims to seek help.

According to the Center for Disease Control, dating violence can have a negative effect on the victim’s life spanning many years past the traumatic events. Teens thru early adulthood who are victims are more likely to experience symptoms including: depression, anxiety, drug-use, and alcohol abuse. To support those statistics, the NCADV reported that half of youth who have been victims of both dating violence and rape attempt suicide compared to 12.5% of non-abused girls and 5.4% non-abused boys.
 
With over 50% of teens knowing someone who has suffered from physical, sexual, or verbal abuse in a dating relationship, it is our job to start having those tough conversations, as well as keep an eye out for signs that we’ve talked about in past blog posts.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month has encouraged us to take action, and you should too. Whether in your community or household, below are a few ideas:

• Talk to local health teachers to hold classroom conversations about dating violence and the importance of seeking help
• Talk to local school officials on how they can create policies to support their students
• Encourage parents to talk with their teens about healthy relationships and what they look like
• Have conversations with your own teens about toxic relationships, prevention, and how to get help
• Work with local domestic violence and sexual assault agencies to collaborate with surrounding communities on facts and statistics
• Host support groups for parents of teens and young college students
• Volunteer with local shelters and organizations to not only support them, but also educate yourself about issues

As a domestic violence and sexual assault agency, Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is passionate about raising awareness of dating violence. If you know of or are a teen and/or young adult that is experiencing dating violence, call our crisis line to speak with an advocate. Advocates are available Monday-Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm at (317)731-6140.