February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

February is not only the month of love but also a time to raise awareness about a crucial issue affecting many young lives – teen dating violence. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is a dedicated campaign aimed at educating teenagers, parents, educators, and communities about the signs, prevention, and intervention of teen dating violence.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 11 female and 1 in 15 male high school students have reported experiencing physical violence from an intimate partner. Teens that identify as LGBTQ+ will experience dating violence at a higher rate than their peers. These alarming statistics emphasize the urgency of addressing teen dating violence and promoting awareness within our community.

Teenagers who experience dating violence may face challenges in seeking help due to fear, shame, or lack of awareness. YWCA Greater Lafayette is bringing awareness to this issue and working to ensure teens know they are not alone. This month, we are providing toolkits to local schools and youth-serving organizations with information they can use to bring attention to this issue. Our Outreach Coordinator has provided presentations in schools about dating violence including how to recognize it and how to help a friend. You will see on our social media posts about violence in teen relationships. Our hope is to educate everyone about this issue and help support those who are in violent relationships.

We invite you to join us in working toward a safer community by talking about violence in teen relationships and how to get help. Together, we could save a young life from the effects of violence.