Preparing for February: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

What is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month?

Since 2010, February has been recognized across the United States as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Violence in a dating relationship includes physical assault, unwanted sexual activity, controlling or manipulative behavior, overly jealous behavior, and more.

The purpose of dedicating an entire month to this topic is to raise awareness among victims, abusers and potential abusers, and the general population.

1. Victims: People who are experiencing abuse often feel helpless and don’t know where to turn. Many are unaware that they are in an unhealthy relationship. Spreading awareness about the warning signs of abuse can help victims identify red flags in their relationship and inspire them to seek help.

2. Abusers/potential abusers: An important part of dating violence prevention is focusing on helping abusers and potential abusers. Many of these people have a history of significant trauma, mental health disorders, and/or substance use disorders. It is vital to let them know that there is help available for them, too.
 
3. General population: Abuse can happen to anyone no matter their age, race, gender, or social status, which is why it is important for everyone to be aware of resources and how to support victims. Often victims have trouble identifying unhealthy behaviors and abuse within their own relationship. Victims sometimes need the perspective of a roommate, friend, parent, teacher, or family member to help them identify unhealthy trends in their relationship, and they will also need your support to find a safe exit.

What does teen dating violence have to do with substance abuse?

Substance abuse can cause teen dating violence. Youth substance use significantly impairs judgment and can cause individuals to make poor decisions. Depending on the drug, a teen that is using may have unexpected outbursts of anger, suffer from delusions and paranoia, experience an increase in sex drive, and deal with other problematic symptoms that can lead to abusive behaviors.

Teen dating violence can cause substance abuse. When a young person is hurt by someone they deeply care about, the wound can feel like too much to bear. Often a victim of an abusive relationship turns to substances to deal with the pain of the abuse. Sometimes, an abuser may use substances to numb the regret they feel after hurting their partner.

Teen dating violence and substance abuse are definitely connected, and any work towards preventing one will help prevent the other.

This image is provided by love is respect

What can you do to help prevent teen dating violence and substance abuse?

Educate yourself. If you have three children, statistics tell us that at least one of them will be abused by someone they trust before they reach adulthood.* It’s time for us to recognize that this is happening to people we know and love. Do some research on your own, and ask your teens what they’ve learned in health class about healthy relationships. 

Educate your kids.Talk to them about about warning signs for abusive relationships. Teach them how to set and maintain healthy boundaries. Practice different ways of saying “no” together so they get more comfortable with the concept. Talk About It is a call to action from Loveisrespect, asking young people and those who support them to engage in meaningful conversations about healthy relationships and navigate behaviors that may be unhealthy or even abusive.

Acknowledge and validate those who are hurting.Even when your kids come to you with something that seems small, acknowledge how they must be feeling and validate those emotions. Have the awkward conversations about substances, abuse, and sex. Let them ask questions. Make sure they know they are safe in your presence.

*love is respect TDVAM Action Guide 2022

Thank you for being a vital part of our community!

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Rittman SALT Coalition
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