Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). People don’t really know how common teen dating violence is, but nearly one in eleven females and approximately one in fourteen men are victims of teen dating violence. “Over 60% percent of teenagers stay in unhealthy relationships and 40% of high schoolers know of someone that is being abused in their relationship. Many teens are being abused and no one knows about.” (teen dating website)

Our School of AHS (Alliance Highschool) we have students in abusive relationships that need help. We have those resources at Alliance highschool. We have councilors who have many resources. 

Teen Dating Awareness Month talks about victims and their loved ones. They join together to show their support and to show awareness of these very serious situations. In 2006, the first week in February was declared Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week and in 2010, they changed it to the full month of February.  TDVAM shows that it is okay for teens and their families to talk about the relationships that they are treated poorly in. 

There are a lot of consequences of teen dating violence. Women who are raped have a higher risk of pregnancies and STDs. Almost 100% of teen girls who are raped develop PTSD within the first week, 30% of teen girls develop PTSD within the first month, and 13% of teen girls who are raped attempt suicide. Even more, rape victims think about suicide. People who are victims of dating violence have fewer friends and grow distant from their families. 

There are many resources out there for people who are victims or know of victims of teen dating abuse. There are phone numbers to call such as The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) or (1-800-787-3224). The National Centers for Victims of Crime (NCVC) (1-800-FYI-CALL), and  The National Dating Abuse Helpline (1-866-331-9474). If you prefer to text them go to https://www.thehotline.org/ and you will have the option to call, text, or live chat with them. If this is happening, feel free to contact our school counselors for help.  All these resources are out there for the safety of you and others like you to go and tell your story. This is how we break this ongoing cycle of abuse and domestic abuse. 

https://youth.gov/youth-topics/teen-dating-violence/resourceshttps

https://www.teendvmonth.org/