We all know February is Valentine’s Day. But did you know that the month of February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month? Women between the ages of 16-24 are at the highest risk of experience domestic violence. A survey has shown that 81% of parents either don’t know or don’t believe teen dating violence is an issue. In 2010, for the first time ever, Congress and New York State proclaimed the entire month of February to be Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. The NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) invites you to join in helping to raise awareness on this important issue by encouraging statewide youth, families, schools, law enforcement communities, government agencies, elected officials, civic organizations and other interested groups to show support for the organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy and services and assistance to victims.
Nationwide surveys that have examined teen dating relationships and experiences have specific findings from these surveys to include the following: 30% of teens in a dating relationship have been text messaged 10-30 times an hour to find out where they are, what they are doing and who they are with. In New York State, 12.1% of high school students surveyed report that they were hit, slapped of physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the previous 12 months, and 8.6% were physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to. Teen dating violence, including physical, verbal and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and harassment via texting, email or instant messaging has become a reality for many teenagers in which many parents and caregivers are unaware.
Studies have indicated the effects of violent relationships can be serious. They put victims at a higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide and adult re-victimization. New York State has recognized the significance of addressing teen dating violence and has passed a law that enables teens to obtain civil orders of protection against their abusers, since its inception in July 2008; more than 1,000 teens have needed to seek orders of protection. “This Isn’t Love” campaign is aimed at teaching students the difference between love and the signs of control and abuse.
http://www.opdv.state.ny.us/public_awareness/campaigns/tdvcampaigns/index.html and Domestic Abuse Shelters, such as one of the country’s largest, Safe Horizon www.safehorizon.org are sites to find out more information. Know the signs, educate and raise awareness……in a month that is supposedly all about love, let’s end the cycle of violence and make sure our teens know the difference between love and abuse!
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