LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake Family Resource Center is raising awareness in February of dating violence and how it affects teenagers.
Congress declared the month of February to be National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in 2010.
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, also known as TDVAM, has become a national effort to raise awareness and protect teens from dating abuse and violence.
The national theme for TDVAM 2022 is “Talk About It.”
“Talk About It” is a call to action for young people and those who support them to engage in meaningful conversations about healthy relationships and navigate what may be unhealthy or even abusive. The ultimate goal is to stop teen dating violence before it begins.
Teenagers have their own unique stories. When they share their own experiences, it empowers others to listen and continue conversations surrounding support, rights, respect and love.
Some great ideas to talk about for teens and adults are common abusive behaviors, including checking cellphones or emails without permission; constantly being ridiculed; displaying extreme jealousy or insecurities; having explosive temper; isolating one from family or friends; making false accusations; mood swings; physical harm in any way; possessiveness and telling one what to do.
Violent relationships in teens can have serious ramifications by putting victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence.
Other possible signs include grades dropping, truancy, trouble at home, isolation from their friends, depression, unexplained injuries that might be passed off as running into a cabinet, lack of interest in activities that used to give them joy and feeling afraid to talk about anything that is going on in their life.
Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner each year.
One in three adolescents in the United States is a victim of physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse from a dating situation.
Young women between the ages of 16 to 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence — almost triple the national average.
Eighty-one percent of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue.
Teen dating violence runs across race, gender and socioeconomic lines, and this dangerous epidemic can affect anyone.
Both males and females can be victims, and both males and females can be abusers.
Lake Family Resource Center encourages teens and parents to speak out, educate teens, be heard and be a part of bringing Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month to the forefront.
If you are or someone you know is in an abusive dating relationship, free and confidential help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the Community Crisis Hotline, at 888-485-7733.
Lake FRC provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength. The agency supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities. Call today at 707-279-0563 to find out more about what services they offer.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
- LAKE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
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