Build Safe & Healthy Relationships for the Future
This February, Community Resource Center invites you to join us in raising awareness during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. The 2024 theme, Love Like That, is an invitation to explore and understand the dynamics of healthy versus unhealthy relationships.
Every February, young people and their loved ones join together across the country to raise awareness about the issue of teen dating violence. Congress declared the month of February to be National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in 2010.
Love is respect shares:
“The essential aspect of ‘Love Like That’ calls on us all to create a world of positive actions to express and show healthy love in various ways.”
loveisrespect.org
A Startling Reality
Dating abuse is a pattern of destructive behaviors that exerts power and control over a dating partner. Many teens have already been exposed to violence, either directly by a dating partner or indirectly by witnessing family members being abused.
According to loveisrespect.org, 1 in 3 teens in the United States will experience abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults. Nearly half (43%) of college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors. In addition, 1 in 10 high school students face dating violence.
1 in 3 teens in the United States will experience abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults.
Youth want and deserve to be their authentic selves and have the right to information and support when it comes to dating abuse. Our collective and shared experiences can empower us and others when we make the time to talk together.
It’s crucial for young people and the adults in their lives to engage in caring, supportive, and authentic discussions about their experiences. These meaningful conversations should focus on healthy relationships and how to identify and navigate behaviors that might be unhealthy or abusive.
Education can prevent tragic behaviors from ever happening
Early intervention with teens, teaching them about healthy and unhealthy relationships, can prevent abusive practices from ever developing. It can empower potential victims to set boundaries and practice self-care, and it can provide support to potential abusers to understand better ways to communicate, relate, and develop healthy intimate relationships.
Many parents and teachers feel ill-equipped to address these and related important questions, but early intervention can prevent unacceptable behaviors later on. The CRC program digs deep and makes a lasting impact.
Community Resource Center’s Education & Prevention
In addition to comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence, Community Resource Center works to prevent domestic violence by teaching youth about dating violence and how to develop healthy relationships.
CRC prevention educators offer an in-depth series of classes or workshops about domestic violence to students, teachers and parents to raise awareness around domestic violence and teen dating abuse, and how to develop healthy relationships. Our DV Prevention and Education team goes to schools in our area and work with students who then become peer counselors, helping other youth learn safe and healthy patterns that they can take into adulthood. This year we will also be offering online workshops for parents, with more information coming soon.
Annually, CRC also offers a comprehensive 40-hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training for those who want to learn from experts in the field about the dynamics and danger of intimate partner violence in our society and how to empower survivors in their healing.
Please contact us if you are interested in a presentation or workshop for your group.
How You Can Raise Awareness
TDVAM 2024 Events & Activities
The Crack Shack Give-back Event
December 26 @ 10:30 am
Join us at The Crack Shack on December 26 for a give-back fundraising event!
Learn More
Consider reviewing the resources below to learn more about teen dating violence so that you are educated and informed and can refer teens to the information.
Resources
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
Love Is Respect
This website is full of information for teens to learn about developing healthy relationships, dating, personal safety, getting help and how to support others. If you or someone you know is experiencing dating violence or has questions about healthy relationships:
