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MCC Daily Tribune

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is observed in February. The month encourages young people and their loved ones throughout the country to come together to raise awareness about the issue of teen dating violence. This annual, month-long, national awareness drive focuses on the education needed to prevent dating abuse before it even starts.

HOW TO OBSERVE TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

  1. Announce respect

    The idea behind the respect announcement is that you deserve respect, for love is respect. Don’t forget that you have the right to set boundaries in your relationship.

  2. Wear orange

    Orange is the official color for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. So wear orange as much as you can, and challenge your friends to do the same, even if it’s just accessories.

  3. Do the respect challenge

    For the respect challenge on social media, one needs to tag any person in their life who shows them respect. The point is to share that you appreciate them respecting you and letting them know how much it matters to you.

5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

  1. Long-term effects

    Teens suffering from dating abuse often end up being victims of long-term problems like alcoholism, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, violent bouts, and so on.

  2. Widely affected

    In the U.S., about 33% of male and female adolescents are victims of sexual, physical, or emotional dating abuse.

  3. S.T.D. scares

    Teen girls subject to abuse are six times more likely to become pregnant or contract an S.T.D. or S.T.I.

  4. Suicidal scares

    A shocking 50% of young adults who experience physical or sexual abuse (including rape) attempt to commit suicide.

  5. Can’t confide

    Only a third of teens in an abusive relationship could confide in someone about the abuse, and hesitate to seek help since they don’t want to expose themselves.

WHY TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT

  1. The stats are staggering

    One in three teens in the U.S. experiences some kind of abuse from someone they’re romantically involved with. About 43% of college women reported experiencing abusive dating behaviors, which makes it a pressing issue.

  2. It can be dangerous

    What the stats above don’t mention is that such abusive behavior can scar someone for the rest of their lives. Since these patterns start at a young age as teens discover love, they need to be fixed so they don’t stick around forever.

  3. You deserve better

    Knowing your worth and knowing that you deserve better are empowering things. Demanding respect is a fundamental human right.

 

National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month - National Today -  https://nationaltoday.com/teen-dating-violence-awareness-month/

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
02/08/2023