Teen DV Month Has Come to an End

Thank you all for helping me raise awareness this past month!

It's now time to announce the winners of my ebook giveaway....(drum roll, please)

Okay, here's the deal. I couldn't pick just one winner because everyone help me so much in raising awareness on teen dating violence, so I decided to choose 4 winners. Yep, you heard that right--four.

Here goes...

And the winners are: Leigh Covington, Casie Hartley, PK Hrezo, and Susan Deuel Schleicher

Congratulations to everyone. Thank you all!
 (I will email with your prize...but please, if you don't hear from me, email me. I may have your address wrong.)


Although February has come to an end, raising awareness on teen dating abuse definitely doesn't have to. Help me to continue to spread the word.

Stand up and Speak Out

A few final words...

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship it is import to get help.

Please make sure you are safe.

Do not isolate yourself.

Go to a trusted adult or friend.

Get in tough with a trusted organization. These organizations have professionally trained staff to listen, understand, and help.

Other places/people to go to include: religious leaders, school nurses, teachers, school counselors, doctors, and other health professionals can be sources of support and information.

Make sure you find a support system.

Get legal help. Assault and rape is illegal.

Help others. Chances are someone you know is in an abusive relationship.

Some great organizations...

loveisrespect.org
datingabusestopshere.org
kidshealth.org


Loveisrespect.org is selling (really cute) t-shirts to continue to spread awareness and to raise money to continue to train peer counselors and provide in-person healthy relationship training to students. Check the tees out!

A Silent Epidemic

Teen Dating Violence

Although we almost never hear anything about it, teen dating violence is on the rise. Nearly 1 in 3 teens report being abused by their partners and nearly half of all date rapes reported occur among teens.

This last Thursday, September 20, 2012, Katie Couric focused on dating violence during her new talk show. Sharon and Lexie Love, mother and sister of Yeardley Love broke their silence to speak up about Yeardley's murder. Survivor Quasona Cobb spoke about her past abusive relationship, and the show also shared warning signs of dating abuse and how to get help.

Here is a link to the entire show on Katie Couric's website http://www.katiecouric.com/on-the-show/2012/09/20/sharon-lexie-love-and-dating-violence/



Yeardley Love, a young, vibrant college student was found murdered in her apartment on May 3, 2010. Two years later on February 22, 2012, George Huguely, Yeardley's ex-boyfriend, was found guilty of second degree murder and grand larceny. In August, he was sentenced to 23 years for 2nd degree murder and one year for the grand larceny, which are to run concurrently.






Quasona Cobb is survivor of dating violence and an advocate against domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Too many victims remain silent out of embarrassment, ridicule, shame, and fear. But if we don't talk about abuse, the cycle will continue. It is important to raise awareness of this epidemic.


The cycle of abuse- (picture from hearts2heal.com)

"I love you," he said, and I believed that, too. I believed he loved me so much it hurt. But love shouldn't hurt this much. -Brooke Myers from Break From You (coming soon)