Subject: Teen Dating Violence
FYI
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Gwen Wright, Executive Director of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), has asked us to share why the recognition of this month is so important, details about OPDV’s campaigns, and resources for parents and other family members who have questions about teen dating violence.
If you’re a grandparent, parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, or even friend to tweens, teens, or young people, you need to know about teen dating violence. In the U.S. alone, approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls (estimates up to 35%) is a victim of interpersonal violence. In a 2011 national study of over 15,000 high school students, 9.4% self-reported they had been physically harmed by their partner and 8% of students had been forced to have sex in the previous 12 months, but less than 3% of teens reported abuse to an authority figure.
Preventing teen dating violence and helping teens who are victims begins with talking. Talk to your children and teens as early as you are able to about what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like.
· Be patient and talk with teens at a time they’re comfortable with and in an environment that feels safe for them.
· Use different modes of communication to begin a conversation—email, texting, however they prefer to communicate.
· Serve as a non-judgmental resource. Let them know abuse is not their fault and that you’ll support the choices they make.
· Encourage them to call the police if necessary, obtain an Order of Protection or talk to a Domestic Violence specialist in your area and offer to accompany them during the process.
· Help them create a safety plan so they know what to do in case of future incidents.
· Print and/or share the poster above to raise awareness about Teen Dating Violence.
· See OPDV’s Advice for Parents page for more tips.
This year our campaign, “Send a Candy Heart” uses social media to encourage teens and adults alike to pledge specific ways they will work to end dating violence. Too often teens receive negative messages about relationships or are with partners who degrade them. Our goal is to send messages pledging to support victims and to work to end teen dating violence. Sending a heart to someone you know and love lets them know you’re aware of and concerned about dating violence—also that you’re there to help if they need it.
Beginning on “Candy Hearts Day” Thursday, February 6, 2014 and all through February, just use any social media sites you choose to send a message, picture, video, or any other medium to express your pledge to end teen dating violence. Don’t forget to use the hashtag on all of your platforms: #tdvcandyhearts.
For more information about helping teen victims of dating violence:
For Parents
Day One- Tips for Caregivers
Love is Respect- Help your child fact sheet
Respect Love- Advice for Parents
iPhone App- Love is Not Abuse App for parents
Helplines and Online Chat Available 24 Hours a Day/7 Days a Week
New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline 1.800.942.6906
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1.800.799.7233
National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline 1.866.331.9474 TTD/TTY-1.866.331.8453
Love is Respect Peer Advocates 1.866.331.9474 or Text “loveis” to 22522
Online Chat: Love is Respect
Español
Línea de Información Sobre Doméstica y Agresión Sexual del Estado de Nueva York 1-800-942-6906
La Línea Nacional Sobre la Violencia Doméstica al 1.800.799.7233 or TTY 1.800.787.3224
Señales de Advertencia de una Relación Abusiva
Ayudar a un Amigo/a
Para Padres Y Guardianes
Rosario M. Velazquez | MSW Intern