A Call to Action for Teen Dating Awareness Month

February is Teen Dating Awareness Month, a time to learn more about what teens are experiencing and how we can help. According to statistics provided by LoveisRespect.org, it is estimated that 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before reaching adulthood. This staggering figure sheds light on the extent of the problem and emphasizes the urgent need for awareness and education surrounding healthy relationships.

What does Teen Dating Violence Look Like?
Relationships exist on a spectrum and may include healthy and unhealthy characteristics. Be on the lookout for a controlling behavior, including:
● Accessing phone, email or social media accounts without permission or demanding passwords
● Frequent insults
● Isolation from friends or family
● Constant tracking, extreme jealousy or possessiveness
● Pressuring or forcing any form of sexual contact
● Unwanted visits, gifts or communication; or
● Any form of physical harm

Teens are Struggling with TDV Alone
According to recent surveys, only a third of teens in abusive relationships feel like they could confide in someone else about the abuse, but don’t because they don’t want to “expose themselves.” This troubling statistic highlights the isolation and fear that many teens experiencing dating violence endure. And perhaps most concerning is that 81% of parents believe teen dating is not an issue or admit they do not know whether it is an issue for teens. This emphasizes the need for increased awareness among parents, educators, and the community at large to ensure that all individuals are equipped with the knowledge to support teenagers and prevent dating violence.

What is at Risk?
Teenagers are at a vulnerable stage in their lives, grappling with the challenges of identity, self-esteem, and peer pressure. Experiencing abuse in a relationship can exacerbate these struggles and leave lasting scars. Victims may face difficulties in forming healthy relationships later in life, and the emotional toll can affect academic performance and mental health.
It is crucial to recognize the signs of teen dating violence, which may include isolation from friends and family, sudden changes in behavior, or physical injuries. Open communication with teenagers about healthy relationships and consent is essential in creating an environment where they feel empowered to seek help when needed.

Taking Action
Teen Dating Awareness Month serves as a platform to initiate age appropriate conversations about healthy relationships, consent, and the prevention of dating violence with children of all ages. Schools, parents, and communities play a pivotal role in educating young people about recognizing red flags and fostering respectful connections.
The 2024 Teen Dating Violence Month Theme is “Love Like That.” This essential theme calls on us all to emphasize the importance of cultivating relationships built on respect, communication, and understanding.

To learn more about healthy relationships and teen dating violence, visit https://www.mass.gov/respectfully and LoveisRespect.org. If you are interested in hosting a local training for adults and/or youth about healthy relationships, contact Healing Abuse Working for Change at albermudez@hawcdv.org.

Sara Stanley is the Executive Director of Healing Abuse Working for Change Denley Cushing is a former resident of Lynnfield and currently attends College of the Holy Cross