Do You Know the Facts? Teen Dating Violence

...With his hand at the base of my neck, he pulled me close and kissed me on the forehead. Moving his hand to my jaw line, he raised my chin. I met his eyes.
"I love you," he repeated. "I would never hurt you." He stepped back and smiled.
When he walked away, I was left standing there, wondering why I believed him when my arm was throbbing in pain.

Break From You (available at Amazon.com)


The only statistic I'm going to throw at you is this one...

Mostly because this is shocking. 1 in 3 you ask???? Yep, 1 in 3. And that is way too many.

Some teens don't know the difference between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy relationship. Do you?

Being able to tell the difference is not easy. And maybe that's because most of us don't talk about it. But it's time to talk. 

Let's start with some of the most common warning signs...

• 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

It isn't always easy to tell if you/or someone you know is in an abusive relationship. And I know it's hard sometimes to start that conversation. But we need to. 

Dating Abuse doesn't always look like this:

So let's chat.

Best to all,

Becca

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

Visit loveisrespect.org for more information

Dating Violence Knows No Boundaries

It does not discriminate.

It runs across all race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, nationality, geography, age and social-economic lines.

No one is above it.

No one is immune to it.

And no one deserves to be abused.

Did you know that the prevalence of dating violence among LGBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning) adolescents is similar to that of heterosexuals?

The truth is that 1 in 3 teens and young adults (straight, gay, bisexual...anyone) experience some form of dating abuse.

In many ways, domestic violence in LGBTQ relationships is the same as in opposite-gendered/ heterosexually-paired relationships and includes but not limited to: emotional abuse, sexual abuse, digital abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse, and stalking.

It is a myth that LGBTQ battering is mutual.

Resources for LGBTQ is limited, and gay/bisexual/transgender men who are in an abusive relationship have much more difficult time finding support than those in a heterosexual relationship.

Because the LGBTQ community is small in many areas, anonymity is not an option for many.

There are many obstacles that LGBTQ individuals face such as: Shame and embarrassment--an abuser may use this against his/her partner to exhibit control and power. Fear of not being believed--a victim may worry about not being taken serious if he/she reports the abuse because of common stereo-types like abuse is mutual, it just doesn't occur, or can only happen to a female in a heterosexual relationship. Fear of retaliation, harassment, rejection, or bullying. Lack of knowledge of legal protection--many victims may not be aware that they have legal options for protection -- including obtaining restraining orders.

Regardless, everyone deserves a healthy relationship and everyone needs to know that there is help and resources out there.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship or has questions about their relationship please contact:

The hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE http://www.thehotline.org/

OR:

Loveisrespect.org

or text "loveis" to 77054


















Resources: loveisrespect.org, http://www.newhopeforwomen.org/gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered-domestic-abuse, National domestic Hotline

Giveaway to Raise Awareness on Teendvmonth

February in Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

and to raise awareness on teen dating violence I am giving away

an ebook copy of Break From You

Love shouldn't hurt this much...

Brooke Myers wants to believe she has it all: 

the perfect guy, the perfect relationship, the perfect life.

 She wants to believe it so much that she's willing to overlook the fear, the isolation, and the pain her boyfriend has caused her. She knows it isn't right but tells herself that love isn't always easy. However, when a fire destroys the restaurant during homecoming dinner, she forms an instant bond with the boy who saves her, one her boyfriend wouldn’t like. 

With the pain of a concussion reminding her of how bad things can get, she is forced to re-evaluate the relationship she has with her boyfriend and face the ghosts that haunt her. Brooke once believed love was all it took…but is it enough?

 Is it truly love when you've lost yourself in it?

Love is Respect National Announcement

As part of Respect Week for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, I am joining in on Loveisrespect.org and teendvmonth.org's National Youth Advisory Board's National Announcement.

Instead of just re-writing the announcement here on my site, I decided to try a video. And what fun! I spent most of yesterday taping, editing and figuring it all out. The first half of the video is the announcement from Loveisrespect.org and the second half is my play on the Love is... slogan that they use for their campaign. Let me know what you think...




I hope everyone has a safe and happy Valentine's Day!


Notes and Credits:
National Announcement by Loveisrespect.org and the National Youth Advisory Board

Announcement from Respect Week 2013 Guide
http://www.loveisrespect.org/pdf/teenDVmonth-youth-guide-2013.pdf

As part of Teen Dating Violence and Awareness Month and Respect Week

The Loveisrespect National Youth Advisory Board created Respect Week as a special way for people  to raise awareness during February’s annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

 

If you or someone you know has questions about their relationship, please go to loveisrespect.org or text "loveis" to 77054

Music- Love is Light from Loveisrespect.org 

Love Is...

Love is...
Friendship

Love is...
Trust

Love is...
Respect

February is...

 Join me throughout the month of February as I help raise awareness on Teen Dating Abuse.

Starting Monday, I will be hosting giveaways of Break From You (ebook,) my debut novel on teen dating abuse.

 I will also be giving away a signed paperback of Break From You to one of my amazing followers.

On February 7th, I will be holding a virtual candlelight service in honor of all of those affected by dating abuse.

On February 11th, Orange Day, I will be wearing orange. I invite you to join me at the Facebook event, hosted by loveisrepect.org where you can upload pics of yourself wearing orange and supporting the cause.

On February 14th, I will post the National Announcement on teen dating abuse and ways to end it.

Throughout the month, I will be posting information on teen dating abuse, hosting other events, doing donation drives, and etc. Make sure you come back and check out all the things that will be happening throughout February.

Please join me

Stand up
Speak out against...

 

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and the Hidden Under Her Heart Guest Tour and Giveaway

Updates, Upcoming Events, and News

February is...

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month






(From breakthecycle.org)

"This February start talking...about healthy relationships

Teen Dating Violence (DV) Prevention and Awareness Month is a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in teen and 20-something relationships and promote programs that prevent it during the month of February.

The repercussions of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore – they hurt not just the young people victimized but also their families, friends, schools and communities. Throughout February, organizations and individuals nationwide are coming together to highlight the need to educate young people about dating violence, teach healthy relationship skills and prevent the devastating cycle of abuse."


Join me throughout the month of February as I continue to raise awareness on teen dating abuse. I will host giveaways and donation drives, share facts, figures, articles, and information, explain ways to get help and help others, and much, much more.

What is love? (from breakthecycle.org)





"Love shouldn't hurt this much..." 

Break From You is a story about teen dating abuse. To raise awareness through out the month of February, I will be having some crazy giveaways. Make sure you join me!

Let's stand up and speak out!



Hidden Under Her Heart Guest Tour and Giveaway

I also wanted to share with you an amazing guest tour hosted by Rachelle Ayala the author of Hidden Under Her Heart



Through out the next three months Rachelle Ayala will be hosting the Hidden Under Her Heart Guest Tour and Giveaway. Join her as she hosts a list of amazing and wonderful authors. She will also have a couple of cool bundle giveaways. Head on over and check out all the posts and sign up for the giveaways. My book, Break From You will be included in one of the giveaways and I will be doing a guest post on her blog in February.

Here is the list of amazing authors and the dates they will be appearing on Rachelle Ayala's blog...

Melisa Hamling 1/24

Emerald Barnes 1/28

Annamaria Bazzi 2/1

Gemma Wilford 2/3

Patricia Zick 2/4

Rebecca Green Gasper 2/5

A.D. Trosper 2/6

Jade Kerrion 2/8

Daniel Alexander 2/11

Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar 2/12

Patricia Zick 2/13

Bonnie Trachtenberg 2/14

Mary Maddox 2/15

Dariel Raye 2/18

Emerald Barnes 2/21

 

(I will update links as I get them.)

Make sure you head on over to Rachelle Ayala's site and check out these amazing authors and their books. 

Other News...

February is also my one year blogging anniversary. I can't believe it's already been a year...wow!  I want to thank every one of my followers for sticking with me throughout the year and hello to all my new friends and blogging buddies. It has been an amazing, wonderful, and unforgettable year. I absolutely and completely love blogging. How about everyone else? How do you feel about blogging? Is it something you love or is it something you feel like you have to do? Please share your thoughts.
 
I leave you with well wishes for a wonderful week. Do any of you have any big upcoming plans? Please share- I'd love to know.