January 30,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Stigma Free task force announces that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. More than 1 in 10 teens who have been on a date have also been physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the last year. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is a national effort to raise awareness and protect teens from violence.
You can make a difference: Encourage schools, community-based organizations, parents, and teens to come together to prevent teen dating violence. It is vitally important that we specifically speak to and understand the statistics involved with abuse in young people’s relationships. These statistics help to outline just how widespread of an issue dating abuse really is in the lives of young people.
Being able to tell the difference between healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships can be more difficult than you would think. No two relationships are the same, so what’s unhealthy in one relationship may be abusive in another. Although there are many signs to pay attention to in a relationship, look for these common warning signs of dating abuse:
• Checking cell phones, emails or social networks without permission
• Extreme jealousy or insecurity
• Constant belittling or put-downs
• Explosive temper
• Isolation from family and friends
• Making false accusations
• Erratic mood swings
• Physically inflicting pain or hurt in any way
• Possessiveness
• Telling someone what to do
• Repeatedly pressuring someone to have sex
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. The Ridgewood Stigma Free task force wants you to know that there’s a lot you can do as a parent to prevent teen dating violence and abuse. Remember that more than 1 in 10 teens who have been on a date have also been physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the last year. One of the most important things you can do is keep the lines of communication open with your kids.
Take steps to make a difference:
• Be a role model – treat your kids and others with respect.
• Start talking to your kids about healthy relationships early – before they start dating.
• Get involved with efforts to prevent dating violence at your teen’s school.
• If you are worried about your teen, call the National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522.
You can help keep your loved ones safe and healthy.
