Latest news with #TeenDatingViolenceAwarenessMonth
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Clay-Chalkville teachers spreading word about Teen Violence Dating Month
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Clay-Chalkville High School teachers Emily Florence and Caitlyn Buie are starting the conversation about teen dating violence in hopes to prevent it with the 'Girl Talk' organization. 'Girls they just really don't know where to start their relationship. They're looking to each other, and that's not really great guidelines, looking at different teenagers with relationship advice, so getting the conversation started with an adult is very important for them,' said Florence. Florence and Buie addressed the topic among students during a school assembly, inviting former Birmingham Police Chief Annetta Nunn to also be a part of the conversation as she has worked alongside victims. 'This was formerly what I did when I worked with a domestic violence organization, and it's important because we know that this type of behavior, it begins usually between the age of 12 and 18, and as we ask those young people at the beginning of class, we asked them, 'How do you learn about what is involved in dating, what do you look for in dating,' and often there is no instruction,' said Nunn. Nunn said that instruction starts with awareness. According to research from the Love and Respect Organization, one in three teens will experience abuse of some kind in a relationship. Knowing the signs is the first step of getting help. 'Someone who does not respect you, you're afraid of them, it's like you're walking on eggshells,' said Nunn. With teens as the target audience, Florence and Buie said they hope to keep the conversation going, not just at Clay-Chalkville, but also at other schools. They say they're already hearing the discussions in the hallways. 'As a female teacher here, you see a lot of needs here within our girls, so we just thought that a Girl Talk organization would be super beneficial for our girls here,' said Buie. 'It definitely makes me feel good. It makes me feel good that the students are now more knowledgeable and can now look for those signs when they're in those types of relationships.' If you or anyone you know is in an abusive relationship, call the Birmingham YWCA's 24-Hour Crisis Line at 205-322-4878. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
UNM students, faculty appear in dating violence awareness panel
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and University of New Mew Mexico students and faculty are helping to bring awareness to dating violence. Story continues below Crime: Parents charged months after baby's remains found buried in Eddy County Albuquerque: Plans for Sandia Peak mountain coaster will not move forward Entertainment: When can you get Girl Scout Cookies in New Mexico? The State Bar of New Mexico held a panel earlier this week, with two UNM students and an administrator sitting as panelists. The panel helped community members navigate their physically, sexually or emotionally abusive relationships. According to a 2024 victimization report, more than 50% of New Mexico residents have been a victim of domestic or sexual violence. For information on resources that UNM offers, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Love shouldn't hurt
ECTOR COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and the Ector County District Attorney's Office is working to spread the word and help keep kids safe. Dating violence can happen to anyone, and teens are no exception. The DA's office said one in three teens will experience some form of dating violence, whether it's physical, emotional, verbal, or digital. 'Abuse is never a sign of love,' victim advocates said in a social media post. Here are some red flags: Shoves, slaps, chokes, hits, or uses weapons you Constantly checks up on you or makes you check in Isolates you from my friends Texts or calls you excessively Has frequent mood swings: Is angry one minute and the next minute is sweet and apologetic Puts you down, calls you names, or criticizes you Breaks things or throws things to intimidate you Yells, screams, or humiliates you in front of others Threatens to hurt him/herself because of you Makes you feel nervous or like I'm walking on eggshells Forces you into proving my love or loyalty constantly If you or someone you know is in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, help is available. Reach out to a trusted adult or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233). Here are other resources available locally and across the country: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
YWCA McLean County educates local teens about dating abuse
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. In the past year, YWCA McLean County had 44 cases with people under 18. Nastasha Powers, the assistant director, stressed just how important education is in preventing teen dating abuse. The organization visits school districts and agencies across Bloomington-Normal to teach young people about the red flags people should look out for. According to Powers, a few of these red flags may include an abuser controlling what their victim wears or who they talk to, isolating their victims from friends or family, or using 'love bombing' tactics. Someone who is love bombing their partner might buy them gifts, or give their partner excessive compliments and affection, before turning to insulting, controlling, or degrading behaviors. Those facing abuse could also seem like they are losing their identity because abusers often strip their victims of power. Powers also described a few green flags in a relationship. 'You're equal in a relationship. A person meets you where you are. Your boundaries are respected. You're validated as a person. You are heard as a person, and you can be who you need to be,' she said. 'There is no mask in the relationship,' she said. 'But you're authentically you around this person. That person is authentically themselves around you, [and] around your friends. 'There is no lack of trust. There is communication. You're both able to be vulnerable and transparent about what your boundaries are,' Powers said. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, one in three men face sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. Often, men can get overlooked in conversations about abuse. 'We taught men to basically sweep things under the rug because they shouldn't show pain.' Powers said. She said social-emotional learning is important to teach children from a young age. 'Being a mom of two boys, I teach, your emotions are yours. To be able to release your feelings are valid,' Powers said. She reminds men that victimization comes in all shapes, sizes, and genders. Teenagers facing abuse might not always know who to turn to if they are being abused. Powers encourages teens to talk to a trusted adult, whether that be a parent, counselor, teacher, or club leader. 'If the person that you disclose to is not comfortable or is not receptive,' she said, 'continue to disclose to someone until there is some type of relief.' Parents might also feel lost as they try to figure out how to talk to their children about dating and abuse. She reminds them that it is never too late to open an educational dialogue with their children. It is important for children to feel safe and comfortable to have these conversations with their parents. Powers said it can take up to 11 times for a victim to leave their abuser, but support is the most important thing in helping someone get through it. People going through abuse can be an embarrassing experience. She said, 'We have to take the shame away from abuse. We have to remind them in no way, shape, or form is it your fault.' 'As a mom myself, you can get into Mama Bear mode or Papa Bear mode. And so sometimes we have to remove ourselves from Mama Bear, Papa Bear, or any other guardian that's there,' she said. 'We have to remove ourselves out of that role of being that protector and go into the role of being that supporter because that's what they need at that time.' Powers said that no one should suffer in silence, and wants to remind teenagers going through abuse that they are not alone. She stressed that survivors should have agency and power in their decisions; whether they want the police involved or how they want to navigate their journey. The organization operates Stepping Stones, McLean County's only sexual assault program; providing a 24-hour crisis hotline for sexual abuse survivors and their loved ones. Stepping Stones can be reached at: (309) 556-7000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
Midday Interview: Resource fair for ‘Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month'
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Hope Harbour and the Department of Juvenile Justice are partnering up to hold a resource fair and assembly for 'Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.' 'Let's Talk About It' is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Carver High School Auditorium from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The assembly is aiming to shine a spotlight on the issue of dating violence in teens. According to Hope Harbour, Columbus holds the highest numbers in the state of Georgia for juvenile probation. The organization says many of those cases stem from dating-related violence. Youth, parents, teachers, community leaders, and concerned citizens are all encouraged to attend. Hope Harbour Resource Development and Marketing Manager Monica Luker stopped by the studio on Thursday to tell us about the event. You can watch the interview in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
