VIDEO: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
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February is teen dating violence awareness month. We’re talking about teen dating violence because three in four families do NOT have this crucial conversation.
Every year, roughly 1.5 million high school students experience physical abuse from a BF or GF. That number is likely higher, as many students do not report their abuse. 1 in 3 teens WILL experience abuse before they turn 18.
Dating violence is defined as a pattern of abuse- or the threat of abuse- which includes verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, and digital abuse. Abuse is NOT JUST PHYSICAL. Anyone can be abused- and it is NEVER your fault.
Jealousy, controlling behavior, dishonesty, and pressure are some warning signs of an unhealthy relationship. Not all unhealthy relationships are abusive- but ALL abusive relationships are unhealthy.
In a healthy relationship, your partner will be honest, loving, respectful, and make you feel good about yourself.
There are lots of great resources out there, like Break the Cycle, that can help you determine if your relationship is healthy or not. These websites are also FULL of resources that can help you or a friend in need. You can even text “loveis” to 22522 for IMMEDIATE and confidential help.
Too often, we feel uncomfortable or ashamed to talk about healthy and unhealthy relationships. It is time to break the silence and break the cycle. By talking about dating violence, we can literally save lives- it is on ALL OF US to stop the cycles of abuse.
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