February is...Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Although we should be talking about this all year young...February is a good place to start.

It's teen dating violence awareness month. The statistics are overwhelming...1 in 3 teens are victims. And sometimes we have no idea how to talk about it. As adults, we need to spark a conversation. As a teen, we need to talk to others about what's right and wrong in our lives and relationships. And now's a good a time as any!

Start by talking about healthy relationships...Ask the question--What is a healthy relationship?

It can be hard to even answer that question, but this is a great place to start. Ask questions and determine what a healthy relationship means to you, to your teen, to your friends. Then build from there.

Throughout the month, I will be covering healthy relationships in more detail. We will talk about signs of an unhealthy relationship. I will share information on how to spot signs and how to get help.

Make sure you keep coming back throughout the month for fun facts, important information, and fun contests and give-a-ways!!!!


And while you are at it, join in and help raise awareness on this serious issue.

It's important to get involved. Join Loveisrespect.org throughout the month...

How Can You Get Involved? (From loveisrespect.org)

There are lots of ways you can join the conversation and help raise awareness about dating violence! Mark your calendars for our events:

• Feb. 8: “Love is Respect, Online and Off!” Twitter chat at 6:30 p.m. CT. Cohosted by That’s Not Cool! Follow #teendvchat to join.
• Feb. 13-17: Respect Week! Download our Respect Week Guide on the Teen DV Month page for event and activity ideas.
• Feb. 14: On Valentine’s Day, we wear #orange4love! Let us know you’ll be wearing orange on our Facebook event page, and be sure to share your pics with us!
• Feb. 15: ”Let’s Talk About Respect + Sex, Baby” Twitter chat at 7 p.m. CT. Follow #teendvchat to join.
• Feb. 17: National Respect Announcement. Join our Thunderclap and help spread the message that everyone deserves a healthy relationship!
• Feb. 23: Join our webinar, “Teens Helping Teens: Empowering Young People to Support Each Other” at 3:30 p.m. CT. During this webinar, aimed at adult allies (educators, parents, programs, organizations), we’ll be discussing tips and strategies for empowering young people to support one another. Register here!

 Hope to see you joining in!

Come back here for more information and fun give-a-ways throughout the month

Best,

Becca

Don't Stop Now

It may be the end of February but that doesn't mean the conversation needs to stop about healthy relationships. Keep communication open with you friends and teens and let's say #nomore to dating abuse.

I've compiled a list of books that relate to teen dating abuse. Sometimes a good book can help start a great conversation:

This isn't a complete list by any means, but it's a start. Have you read any other YA books about dating abuse? Let me know- I'd love to add to my list.

As February comes to a close, let's make sure we keep the conversation going.

Best to all,
Becca

Questions to Start the Convo about Healthy Relationships

It's important to have a conversation with teens about healthy and unhealthy relationships, but it can be hard to get the conversation started. And it's important to talk to both your boys and girls about abuse. We all understand the importance of talking with our daughters about being safe in relationships, but we pass over talking with our sons. So grab a chair, scoot on up, and let's chat...

Start the conversation by asking How are things going? Keep things general and open ended. Don't judge or try to fix things, just listen.

Next ask What are you friends dating relationships like? It's always good to start by asking about someone else. It is easier to talk about someone else's issues than your own sometimes.

Now it is time to start digging in. Start asking questions like: Have you seen any kind of abuse between two people going out? Why do you think one person would abuse the other? Why might a person want to stay in a an abusive relationship?

After some talk about abusive relationships, start talking about what makes a healthy relationship.

And finally talk about how to get help for a friend or yourself.

Let's say NO MORE to dating violence. And the first step is starting the conversation!

So, tell me, have you started the conversation on dating abuse and healthy relationships with your teens or pre-teens? How did you start the conversation? How did it go?

From loveisrespect.org