MURFREESBORO – “Teen dating violence is more common than you think,” announced Child Advocacy Center Community Education Coordinator Presley Hosford. “That is why February has been declared Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.”
In 2010, the U.S. Congress declared February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. The National Domestic Violence Hotline launched a website www.loveisrepect.org aimed at targeting teens and young adults to educate them about teen dating violence.
The 2023 theme is “Be About It,” which is a continuation of the 2022 campaign “Talk About It.” According to the love is respect website, this campaign is, “about education, engagement, and empowerment and here to amplify the voices of teens and young adults and those who support them by uplifting positive, healthy, and safe relationships.”
love is respect reports, “1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before they become adults.” Teen dating violence, just like domestic violence, if left unaddressed can lead to anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and thoughts of suicide.
Dating violence is defined as, “a pattern of coercive, intimidating, or manipulative behaviors used to exert power and control over a partner.” Common types of abuse include:
- Physical violence – hurting a partner by hitting, kicking, pushing
- Sexual violence – non-consensual sex, unwanted sexting, sharing sexual photos without consent
- Emotional abuse – putting them down, calling names, mind games, humiliation
- Stalking – a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact that causes concern for safety
Visit www.loveisrespect.org/get-involved/tdvam for access to more facts, stats, guides for parents, teachers, or peers, and a 24/7 live chat with the National Domestic Violence Hotline. You can also text LOVEIS to 22522 to receive information directly to your phone.
The Child Advocacy Center educates the public on violence against children and teens utilizing the Darkness to Light training curriculum. To schedule a Darkness to Light training in Rutherford County contact Presley Hosford at (615) 867-9000 or phosford@cacrutherford.org and in Cannon County contact Julie Williams at (615) 563-9915 or jwilliams@cannoncac.org.
Additional WGNS NEWS Stories:
- Today’s Audio Commentary in the Commissioner Corner with Craig Harris
- Professional Educators of TN Focusing on Teacher Salaries, School Safety and a Lack of Federal Dollars
- Leadership Changes at Ascension Saint Thomas as Health System Looks to Future
- Legal Woes in the form of a Sexual Harassment Complaint for LaVergne Police
- New Rutherford County Fire & Rescrue Recruits Enter Week 3 of Training
- Rutherford Co. School Spotlight: LaVergne High School
- 4-Vehicle Rollover Accident in Smyrna Area this past Saturday
- One Person and Three Pets Die in Rutherford Co. Area House fire
- Serious Auto Accident in Murfreesboro this Past Friday
