Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAPM)
February 2022
Join us this February for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. We can all prevent teen dating violence from happening by raising awareness in our schools, homes, workplaces and friend circles.
What is Teen Dating Violence (TDV)
TDV is a pattern of violent, coercive, or manipulative behaviors by a partner (or ex) to gain power and maintain control in a relationship. TDV can happen online or in person and includes physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, financial abuse, and stalking.
Statistics:
- 1 in 3 teens who have been in a relationship have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or threats of physical harm from a partner.
- 1 in 4 dating teens are harassed online.
- LGBTQ+ Youth experience more physical and emotional abuse and sexual coercion that their straight peers.
- 74% of boys and 66% of girls report not having conversation with their parents about dating or relationships.
What are the consequences:
- Significantly higher rates of eating disorder behaviors
- Stress, anxiety and depression
- Higher rates of self-harm
- Difficulties build new relationships
- Lower self-esteem
Protective Factors:
- Friendships and empathetic relationships with friends and trusted adults
- Role models such as parents who model healthy relationships
- Healthy relationship skills education
- Community/social support such as school clubs, after school programs, and sports
How can we stop Teen Dating Violence?
Supporting the development of healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships can reduce the occurrence of TDV. During the pre-teen and teen years, it is critical for youth to begin learning the skills needed to create and maintain healthy relationships. These skills include things like how to manage feelings and how to communicate in a healthy way. This is the education CRC offers to youth in our community through the Domestic Violence Education and Prevention
Program. For more information and resources, please contact Domestic Violence Prevention and Education Program Manager at lcanseco@crcncc.org.
How to get involved?
All month long in February, communities nationwide take a stand against Teen Dating Violence (TDV) by spreading awareness and providing prevention education to address relationship violence. If you are looking for local Healthy Relationship classes for teen contact lcanseco@crcncc.org , or click here.
You can also contact the San Diego Teen Dating Violence Committee at teendv.sddvc@gmail.org . The Teen Dating Violence Committee is a collaborative made up of individuals and organization providing both intervention and prevention support against relationship and sexual violence in our communities. The Committee extends their support to address and prevent TDV in our schools and empowers school staff to participate in prevention efforts.
Wear Orange Day
On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, wear orange, a simple, yet meaningful way to raise awareness about teen dating violence. Snap a selfie or take a group picture of you with friends/family/co-workers all wearing orange. Post it on social media (Facebook, IG) and tag #tdvamteamorange
We are inviting schools to participate in February to raise awareness about Teen Dating Violence. We are providing them with this toolkit.
Attend a Training
The Teen Dating Violence Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council is pleased to share a virtual training opportunity on Preventing Teen Dating Violence in Schools. Join us for a free training to learn about the newly developed Best Practices Guide for TDV Prevention and Intervention, February Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, warning signs and effects, how to start the conversation with youth, and national and local resources.
The training will take place on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, from 4:00 – 5:00 pm. Target audience: school administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, nurses, ASB advisors, and coaches. Please see attached flyer.
Register at http://sdcoe.k12oms.org/918-214644 For questions, please email teendv.sddvc@gmail.com
