02/14/2024
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month ❤️
Teen dating violence, also called intimate relationship violence or intimate partner violence among adolescents or adolescent relationship abuse, includes:
Physical, psychological, or sexual abuse
Harassment, Stalking of any person ages 12 to 18 in the context of a past or present romantic or consensual relationship, Control of reproductive or sexual health
In the United States, up to 19% of teens experience sexual or physical dating violence, and about half face stalking or harassment. As many as 65% of victims report being psychologically abused (“Teen Dating Violence,” Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S.
Department of Justice, 2022).
Victims of teen dating violence often keep the abuse/ violence a secret, but they should be encouraged to contact trusted adults like parents, teachers, school counselors, youth advisors, or health care providers. Victims can also seek confidential counsel and advice from professionally trained adults and peers.
If you want to learn more about teen dating violence and how you can be an advocate or notice the signs, contact Kaylen Smith ([email protected])
Kaylen will be hosting a workshop called Communities for Safe Dates. (see slide three and our stories for more details)
