SAFE Spotlight!
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, take a moment to reflect on what a healthy, loving relationship is. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Approximately 1 in 3 high school students will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by a dating partner before adulthood. Although dating violence in adults is similar to that of teens, teens may lack the words to describe what they are feeling or they may not know what a healthy relationship should feel like. Parents can empower their kids with information on what an abusive relationship looks like. Some examples are:
- Name calling, insults, or put-downs in public or in private
- Checking cell phones, emails, or social networks without permission
- Extreme jealousy or insecurity
- Isolation from family and friends
- Making false accusations
- Possessiveness
- Telling someone what they can and cannot do
- Pressuring or coercing partner into physical involvement
Help break the cycle of teen dating violence! For a helpful guide on how to talk to your child about dating violence, visit http://www.itstimetotalkday.org/sites/default/files/How-To-Start-A-Conversation-Guide.pdf and check out https://www.breakthecycle.org/teenDVmonth for more helpful resources.