LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With February marked as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, the Lake Family Resource Center is working to raise awareness in the community about the problem and highlight the importance of health relationships.
Abuse in teen relationships is a national problem impacting our youth in every community crossing all backgrounds. Teen dating violence is defined as the physical, sexual, psychological or emotional aggression within a dating relationship, including stalking. It can occur in person or electronically and might occur between a current or former dating partner.
One in three high school students experience either physical or sexual violence or both that is perpetrated by someone they are dating.
One in 10 high school students have been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend, according to www.loveisrespect.org.
Teens receive messages about how to behave in relationships from peers, adults and the media. All too often these examples suggest that violence in a relationship is normal, but violence is never acceptable.
Recognizing the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy dating relationships, and how to get out of an abusive one, is incredibly important for healthy adolescent development.
Signs that a teenager might be in an unhealthy relationship could include being withdrawn from and uninterested in ordinary activities, unexpected and unexplained mood swings, demonstrated fear of upsetting their partner, reluctance to engage in activities without their partner for fear of retribution, low self-esteem and self-worth, drug and alcohol use, unexplained injuries, self-harming and/or suicidal behaviors.
Only 33 percent of teens who were in a violent relationship ever told anyone about the abuse.
Eighty-one percent of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it is.
Though 82 percent of parents feel confident that they could recognize the signs if their child was experiencing dating abuse, a majority of parents (58%) could not correctly identify all the warning signs of abuse.
The top 10 abusive behaviors that every teen and parent can discuss include checking cell phones, emails or social media accounts without permission; constantly being ridiculed; displaying extreme jealousy or insecurities; having an explosive temper; isolating one from family or friends; making false accusations; mood swings; physical harm in any way; possessiveness and telling one what to do.
Lake Family Resource Center invites the public to become involved in awareness efforts and take the time to discuss healthy relationships with teenagers.
On. Tuesday, Feb. 12, the center invites community members to wear orange in observance of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Tag your pictures with #LAKEFRC and #teenDVmonth so we can see your support.
On Thursday, Feb. 14, join Lake Family Resource Center and help them spread messages of love for the “Chalk About Love” event. Staffers will be using chalk to decorate the center’s parking lot at the Lakeport office, located at 896 Lakeport Blvd. at 4 p.m.
You can participate wherever you are and tag photos with #LAKEFRC and #teenDVmonth to share with your community.
If you are not feeling safe in your relationship, or you believe your teen may be in an unhealthy relationship, please seek out resources for support like a school counselor, or reach out to Lake Family Resource Center. Advocates are available to offer free and confidential help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the local Community Crisis Hotline, at 1-888-485-7733.
The National Teen Dating Abuse hotline is also available toll free at 1-866-331-9474. You can also text “loveis” to 22522, or log on to the interactive Web site, www.loveisrespect.org, and receive immediate, confidential assistance.
Lake Family Resource Center supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities. Call 707-279-0563 to find out more about what the organization offers and how you can help.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
- Lake County News reports
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