CLARKSTON, WA – February is known as the month of love, but it is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a national effort to raise awareness about teen dating violence. Dating abuse is a pattern of coercive, intimidating, or manipulative behaviors used to exert power or control over a partner. Each year, it is estimated that 1.5 million teens experience dating abuse of some type, but only 33% will seek help.
Selected by the Love is Respect Youth Council, “Be About It” is a continuation of last year’s theme, “Talk About It.”
“This year during TDVAM, we’re unapologetically about education, engagement, and empowerment and we’re here to amplify the voices of teens and young adults and those who support them by uplifting positive, healthy, and safe relationships. Join us as we magnify our young people’s voices, highlighting the issues teens face related to healthy relationships. Whether offering support, or relationship education, or connecting someone to resources, “Be About It” calls on us all to create a world free from relationship abuse,” according to the Love is Respect website.
“While we define dating violence as a pattern, that doesn’t mean the first instance of abuse isn’t also dating violence; we simply recognize that dating violence tends to involve a series of abusive behaviors over a course of time,” according to Love Is Respect.
Washington State Department of Health subject matter expert, Allison Browne, explains what teen dating violence is.
Browne says dating violence is more common than most people think, especially among teens and young adults.
Anyone can experience dating violence, regardless of gender, Browne says. She describes what signs to look for.
Browne says beginning early in their lives, parents should talk to their children about what constitutes a healthy relationship.
Meanwhile, if you believe you are the victim of teen dating violence, keep this in mind.
If you think you are committing violence of any kind toward your partner, Browne says there are resources available to help you and your partner. These include the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and Love Is Respect.
Browne says the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence is also a good resource for those who are involved in an unhealthy relationship.
Emotional health, connectedness with others, and even academic achievement are additional factors that could protect against teen dating violence, Brown says.
The Department of Health conducts a social change campaign called “It’s About Respect” which focuses on promoting both physical and emotional boundaries among middle school-aged students.
“Everyone has both physical and emotional boundaries and these boundaries are different from person to person. Emotional boundaries have to do with people’s thoughts and feelings. They aren’t always visible, but they’re just as important as physical boundaries. So remember, all boundaries deserve to be respected,” the agency’s website says.
Schools across the state may become involved in the “It’s About Respect” campaign, find tips for getting started at your school, as well as discover resources and letters for parents on the campaign materials pages: Download Campaign Materials.
Join #LoveIsRespect‘s campaign #BeAboutIt to share ways to prevent dating abuse and support healthy teen relationships.
Idaho teens can participate in the 14th Annual Idaho Youth Writing Challenge during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This year’s theme is Accountability in Healthy Relationships. Student authors must be in Idaho middle school/junior high school or high school — public, private, alternative school settings, or youth groups — or be a 12- to 18-year-old home-schooled student residing in Idaho.
Awards of $250 cash will be given to each of the top 10 selections for middle school/junior high school and the top 10 selections for high school categories. In addition, $25 Amazon gift cards will be awarded to each of the 100 selections for middle school/junior high school and the 100 selections for high school. Be sure to include the student’s email on the submission. Visit this site for more information: https://idvsa.org/idaho-writing-challenge-2023/.
Take this healthy relationship quiz and learn the dimensions of your relationship: https://bit.ly/isyourrelationshiphealthy.
Finding a balance between online & in real-life (IRL) safety can be hard, but it is something to consider when you are engaging in relationships. Be about safety online: https://bit.ly/datingonlinesafely.
Get help now:
- Crisis text line: Text HEAL to 741741
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: Text or Call 1-866-331-9474
Resources
Teens:
- That’s Not Cool – Healthy relationship advice
- Love is Respect – Empowering young people to prevent and end abusive relationships
- It’s About Respect – Washington State Department of Health
Adults:
If you’re here to support the young people in your life, check out the helpful resources below.
