For many romantics, February means sweethearts, candy, and Valentine’s. However, did you know that February is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month? It’s a time to reflect on what a healthy and loving relationship looks like while raising awareness about teen dating violence and working toward a solution.
When you think of teens and dating, domestic violence is probably not the direction your mind goes. Teen dating violence is a serious problem. Around 10% of teens in the U.S. have experienced physical or sexual violence while dating. Up to 75% report being emotionally or psychologically abused by a romantic partner.
What is Teen Dating Violence (TDV)?
Teen dating violence or TDV according to the CDC is a form of intimate partner violence, that occurs between two teenagers in a close relationship. It can take place in person or electronically, going from teasing and name-calling to repeated texting and posting sexual pictures online without consent.
Here are four types of behavior:
- Physical violence: this includes hitting, kicking, or any other type of physical force.
- Sexual violence: includes forcing or attempting to force a sex act, sexual touching, or a non-physical sexual event (e.g., sexting) when the partner does not or cannot consent.
- Psychological aggression: using verbal and non-verbal communication to harm a person mentally or emotionally and/or exert control over them.
- Stalking: to stalk is to cause fear or concern for one’s own safety or the safety of someone close, by using a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact.
No Longer Puppy Love
It was found that of the more than 2,000 teens killed between 2003 and 2016, nearly 7%, or 150 teens, were killed by their current or former girlfriend or boyfriend. It’s important to know the statistics because violence can so quickly turn deadly.
Did you know?
- 1 in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped, or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend. (LoveIsRespect.org, Dating Abuse Statistics)
- 69% of women who experience intimate partner violence say it started when they were 24 or younger. (Youth.gov, Prevalence of Teen Dating Violence)
- 82% of parents feel confident that they could recognize if their teen was experiencing dating violence, but more than half of these parents could not correctly identify the warning signs of abuse. (LoveIsRespect.org, Dating Abuse Statistics)
Educate, Empower, and Encourage
Now that you know the seriousness of this epidemic and why this month is dedicated to raising awareness, it’s time to take action and work toward a solution to ending teen dating violence. The formula is clear! Educate, Empower, and Encourage.
- Educate teens by utilizing teachers and inviting speakers in to hold discussions about dating violence and prevention inside the classroom.
- Empower schools to create policies that support healthy relationships and involve student voices.
- Encourage parents to talk with their teens about healthy relationships.
Support Teen Girls through Dream It, Be It
Dating violence is one of the biggest hurdles teen girls face. Dream It, Be It is a powerful intervention that gives girls the space to dream, create realistic and meaningful goals with the help of mentors, and build their self-esteem so that they can spot the signs of an unhealthy relationship and avoid it.
Dream It, Be It helps girls know their self-worth and build a support system—together, these experiences will help them in the face of any gender-based obstacles that they encounter, so they can focus on pursuing their dreams.
Download the Toolkit
Join us in raising awareness! Download our toolkit with resources for teens, resources for parents of teens, and resources for schools.
April Jackson-Hunter is an author, advocate, motivational speaker, and survivor of abuse. Her passion is educating and empowering fellow victims of domestic/partner violence. She is the founder of Mercedes’ Closet, a nonprofit geared toward offering support and resources in the LGBTQ community for victims of domestic/partner violence and other violent crimes such as rape, hate crimes, and trans violence.