February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM)

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM)

TOPEKA KAN Feb. 4, 2022 – This month is dedicated to increasing awareness about dating abuse within teenage relationships and the resources that are available for teen victims and survivors.

Teen dating violence is more common than many people think. Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year. One in 3 adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner before they become an adult.

Teen dating violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors done by an abusive partner. Abusive behaviors can include violent words and/or actions. The abusive partner feels entitled to gain and maintain power and control over their partner, the victim.

“Technology – including cellphones and social media have become common tools used in teen dating violence,” said KCSDV Executive Director Joyce Grover. “Many teens in dating relationships have increasingly reported being controlled, threatened, and humiliated through cellphones and social media.”

Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of teen dating violence. However, any young person can experience dating abuse regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic standing, ethnicity, race, religion, or culture. Abusers abuse because they feel entitled and want to have power and control over their intimate partner. Abuse can happen to anyone.

Victims of teen dating violence need to be heard and supported.

Only 33% of teens who were in a violent relationship ever felt safe and supported enough to disclose the abuse to anyone.

Supportive adults should understand the dynamics of teen dating violence and the long-term impact it can have on the lives of teens. Other teens also provide an important support system for teens who find themselves in an abusive relationship. So it is important for both adults and teens to provide the support system when a teen comes to them for help. “Know your local resources,” said Grover, “victims of teen dating violence deserve support and need to know they are not alone.”

Advocacy Services and Resources

To get help and access services, call the Kansas Crisis Hotline at 1-888-363-2287.

Find a map and listings of Kansas sexual and domestic violence victim advocacy programs at: https://www.kcsdv.org/find-help/in-kansas/dv-sa-services-map.

Learn more about domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and teen dating violence at https://www.kcsdv.org/learn-more/domestic-violence/ and https://www.loveisrespect.org/.

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Founded in 1982, the purpose of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence (KCSDV) is the prevention and elimination of sexual and domestic violence through a statewide network of programs providing support and safety for all victims of sexual and domestic violence and stalking with a primary focus on women and their children; direct services; public awareness and education; advocacy for victims; comprehensive prevention; and social change efforts. Learn more at https://www.kcsdv.org/.

Last Updated on Feb 4, 2022