Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
By Emily Carey, University of Vermont Bachelor in Social Work Intern
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Although most often associated with Valentine’s Day and love, in 2010, Congress also designated February as a month to bring awareness to teen dating violence. This annual, month-long focus on teen dating violence pushes for advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts. Teen dating violence is defined to include physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional/ psychological abuse between dating partners (www.teendvmonth.org). Throughout the month of February, conversations about teen dating violence are encouraged and welcome. Engaging in these types of conversations allows space to listen for signs that someone you know, and love may be affected by teen dating violence. By understanding the essential elements of healthy relationships and learning the early warning signs of harmful and abusive behaviors, we can change things for ourselves and those we care about.
Teen dating violence is much more common than many people think. One in 3 teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults, and two thirds of them will never tell anyone. Forty three percent of women in college report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors (www.teendvmonth.org). Dating violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or sexual orientation, or background.
The first step is to get the right information about healthy relationships and abuse in front of young people. It is essential that teens know that abusive relationships are often emotional, and not just physical. There are several warning signs that may indicate that a teen might be in an unhealthy or abusive relationship. For example, if their partner is jealous, or attempting to control different aspects of their life, such as how they dress, who they hang out with, and what they say, this may be a sign of an abusive partner. Some young people might notice that their partner frequently humiliates them or makes them feel unworthy (for example, if a partner puts you down but tells you that they love you). If someone feels that their partner is showing a lack of respect towards them, or their goals, this may also be a sign of an abusive partner. Sometimes a young person may be experiencing physical harm, including intimidation or threats of harm. Therefore, it is so important for young folks to have safe adults in their lives that they can talk to. For young people, their first relationship may happen in middle school or high school. During these relationships, teens are learning a lot about the fundamentals of a relationship like communication, empathy, respect, and intimacy. By providing young people with the tools to create healthy relationships, we are supporting them in being safe and compassionate partners and friends.
At WomenSafe, we provide sexuality and violence prevention education to every student in Addison County. We are committed to the belief that comprehensive and inclusive education is one of the most effective ways to empower students to be healthy and safe friends, family members, and partners. By providing this education early on in someone’s life, they are better equipped to identify the signs of dating and sexual violence, in addition to seek help when they or someone they know may be experiencing violence or abuse. When we equip students with the skill set to be healthy partners, we can cultivate cultural change that works to eliminate sexual and dating violence. Last year our training and education program reached 2,246 adults and youth with 331 prevention workshops, presentations, outreach events, and professional trainings. Our curriculums primarily center around healthy relationships.
The theme of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month this year is “Know Your Worth.” This theme is all about learning about healthy relationships and self-empowerment. You are worth respect and deserving of a healthy, loving relationship. Everyone is deserving of a healthy relationship! If you are a teen in Addison County and want to learn more about healthy relationships, sign up for our healthy relationship workshop series happening now virtually with the Middlebury Teen Center. Please email lj@womensafe.net or call 388-9180 for more information.