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

#TeenDVMonth Break From You, an excerpt

Break From You available at Amazon.com

#RespectWeek2016 and #Orange4love

It's #RespectWeek2016


And tomorrow, Tuesday, February 9, 2016 is:

Wear Orange Day

Wear Orange Day is a national day of awareness where we encourage everyone to wear orange in honor of Teen DV Month.Wear orange shirts, nail polish, ribbons, jewelry, shoes or anything else you can think of! Tell people why you are wearing orange and post pictures and updates on instagram or twitter or Facebook using the hashtags #Orange4Love and#RespectWeek2016.

Help raise awareness for Teen Dating Violence. Join me on social media, encourage others to join the cause, wear orange, host a wear orange contest, create displays, join in on the announcement this Friday, hang up posters, start a conversation, and....

What things can you think of to help raise awareness on teen dating violence?

Did you see the psa from No More that aired during the Super Bowl

 #NoMore

I hope you all join me this week- even if you just send out one tweet or wear orange- it's important to spread awareness on teen dating violence. 1 in 3 is too many.

Best to all,
Becca

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month- February 4th is Time to Talk Day

This month gives us an opportunity to shed light on a very devastating epidemic. 1 in 3 teens will experience some form of dating violence this year. 

And dating violence can happen to any teen, any race, any place, any time. 

Dating violence can be emotional, sexual, financial, digital, stalking, verbal, and/or physical.

And Today is Time to Talk Day:

Conversations about healthy relationships are happening all across the country on NO MORE Silence: It's Time To Talk Day! 

Get Involved:

• Pledge to have a conversation with a young person in your life about healthy relationships on It's Time To Talk Day, Feb. 4, 2014. See where conversations and events are happening nationwide
• Tell two people about It's Time To Talk Day, and encourage them to do the same! Tools to help start the conversation
• Become an advocate: Join the Love Is Not Abuse Coalition, a group of thousands of healthy relationship advocates who have made it their mission to bring education and other dating abuse prevention resources to their families and communities. Click here to join.
• Attend (and invite friends to) a Talk-A-Thon near you! Break the Cycle will host a national Talk-A-Thon in New York City that anyone can participate in and support. Click here for details and to RSVP!
• Host an It's Time To Talk Day Talk-A-Thon in your community!These dynamic conversation events will bring groups of parents and advocates, large and small, together to learn, share and talk about this important issue. The Talk-A-Thon Guide has everything you need to host your own.

Click here for more information on Time to Talk Day

About the Day:

Hosted by Break the Cycle's Love Is Not Abuse Campaign, It’s Time To Talk Day is an annual awareness day that aims to generate conversations about healthy relationships and prevent teen dating violence and abuse.

Starting a conversation about a tough topic can be hard. Sometimes a good book can help start the difficult discussion. Break From You is a young adult novel that focuses on teen dating abuse.

Click here to check out the discussion questions for a book group or classroom. 

Join me throughout the month of February in raising awareness. 

The history of Teen DV month:

For years, young people across the nation have organized to put a stop to dating abuse. With their adult allies, they achieved a major victory in 2005 when the importance of addressing teen dating abuse was highlighted in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The following year, Congress followed the lead of dozens of national, state and local organizations in sounding the call to end dating abuse. Both Chambers declared the first full week in February "National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week." Then in 2010, they began dedicating the entire month of February to teen dating violence awareness and prevention. 

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!

Wear Orange 4 Respect

I'm wearing orange today to help promote loveisrespect.org and join their fight to help raise awareness to Teen Dating Violence.

Join me and share your ORANGE 4 RESPECT photos on the Facebook event or at facebook.com/loveisrespectpage!

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Peer advocates are available to support you 24/7
What is live chat? | Our privacy policy

 

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship please get help. 

Go to loveisrespect.org for more information. 

Shining a Light on Dating Violence

A Virtual Candlelight Vigil

In Honor of

In Memory of

of those affected by dating abuse.

1 in 3 teen and young adults experience some form of dating abuse.
Each year, lives are lost due to dating/partner/spousal abuse.

Light a candle and help me shine a light on dating violence

Together we can help end this devastating issue

Raising Awareness Through Movies and Books

It's National Teen Dating Violence Awareness month. 

1 in 3 teens experiences some form of abuse in their relationships

58% of teens and young adults report experiencing abuse through some form of digital and social media

For more information go to loveisrespect.org

or text "Loveis” to 77054 to get help


I am a firm believer that when the topic is too hard, a conversation can be started through movies or books. Although many forms of media glorify violence, there are a great number of wonderful movies and books out there that delve into the tough issues with realism and sensitivity and get us talking.

Trailer for Reviving Ophelia

Written by Teena Booth (screenplay) Mary Pipher (book)

Another Announcement

Rachelle Ayala is hosting a book chat with me over at her site today as part of her Hidden Under Her Heart giveaway and tour.

Head on over and check it out.
She is giving away a e-copy of Break From You as part of a package of other wonderful e-books

Make sure you join in on the giveaway!