February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

S.A.F.E., Inc, in partnership with the Ecru Police Department will be showing two films about teen dating violence starting at 6PM on Monday February 7th. The films will be shown in the 4,800 square-foot police department building located just behind town hall.

Dangerous Relationships (29 minutes)

Young people need clear, self-affirming guidelines to understand their choices when a relationship turns unhealthy or destructive. Through a series of dramatizations, viewers see a “blueprint” of an unhealthy relationship between a young couple as it grows progressively more intense. Topics include the early danger signs to watch for, such as irrational jealousy, violent outbursts, emotional manipulation, physical intimidation, and physical abuse.

10 Signs of Relationship Abuse (28 minutes)

Combining powerful interviews of battered and verbally abused teens with expert commentary, video delivers key facts about dating abuse. Emotional abuse includes isolation from friends, family, and outside activities; using insulting names or degrading terms; displaying jealousy and possessiveness; controlling a partner’s clothing choices and behavior; using excessive cell phone use to monitor behavior; and threatening self-harm to control behavior. Sexual and physical abuse includes extreme roughhousing; pushing, grabbing, restraining, and other violent behaviors that don’t leave marks or bruises; touching a partner’s body in ways that make him/her feel uncomfortable; and making threats as a means of coercing a partner’s consent to sexual activity. Teen speakers and dating abuse experts offer helpful advice on how teens can get away from potentially unhealthy relationships.

There is no cost for this event and participants will be provided with handouts about dating violence and community resources where they can get free help or counseling. The S.A.F.E., Inc community educator will be on hand to answer any questions.

This film showing will be in conjunction with the “Jeans for Justice” display.

Vice President Joe Biden invited many of the nation’s top experts on dating and domestic violence prevention to attend a special ceremony honoring the 16th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. Video features Break the Cycle’s own Director of Policy, Dr. Juley Fulcher.

“For years, young people across the nation have organized to put a stop to dating violence. With their adult allies, they achieved a major victory in 2005 when the importance of addressing teen dating violence was highlighted in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The following year, Congress followed the lead of dozens of national, state and local organizations in sounding the call to end teen dating violence. Both Chambers declared the first full week in February “National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week.” Then in 2010, Congress began dedicating the entire month of February to teen dating violence awareness and prevention.

Now in its second year, Teen DV Month is celebrated by leaders in government, student bodies, schools, youth service providers, community-based organizations, parents and more. Join us in promoting awareness of and preventing teen dating violence.”

http://www.teendvmonth.org/whats-teen-dating-violence-awareness-month

“Dating violence is defined by the United States Department of Justice as: “the perpetration or threat of an act of violence by at least one member of an unmarried couple on the other member within the context of dating or courtship.” This also includes dating between same sex couples, although most statistics have been gathered from heterosexual couples. Statistics show that one in three teenagers have experienced violence in a dating relationship. In dating violence, one partner tries to maintain power and control over the other through some kind of abuse. Dating violence crosses all economic, racial and social lines; most victims are young women who are also at higher risk for serious injury.”     Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/13801-teen-dating-violence/#ixzz1C3o6QXN1

February is National Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, but problems of abuse occur all year long. These are two of the many online resources that parents, teens, teachers and friends can use to start a conversation about topics that are embarrassing, uncomfortable or scary. Talking about problems saves lives. S.A.F.E., Inc encourages anyone who knows about an abusive dating relationship to make time to visit and learn from these websites, or call 1-800-527-7233 to set up a free, local appointment for counseling.