National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
February 2010
Joyful Heart Foundation is proud to support National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Each year since 2006, the first week in February has been dedicated to increasing public awareness of the prevalence of dating violence among teens. This year, for the first time, Congress has designated the entire month to the issue.
The statistics on teen dating violence and abuse are staggering. According to a 2008 survey, sponsored by Liz Claiborne Inc., teen dating violence and abuse is a pervasive and growing epidemic:
- Nearly half of teen girls who have been in a relationship say they have been victims of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse by their boyfriends.
- Even more alarming, is the fact that this abuse is starting in tweens (11 – 14 year-olds).
- Finally, the survey shows that parents may not be aware of their own tween’s dating relationships, even though they believe they are. Findings show that more than three times as many tweens (20%) as parents (6%) admit that parents know little or nothing about the tweens’ dating relationships. In fact, twice as many tweens report having “hooked up” with a partner (17%) as parents reported of their own 11-14 year-old child (8%).
The crime of dating violence—which includes emotional, physical, and sexual assault, as well as harassment via digital communication like texting, email, and instant messaging—is a reality for many of our nation's teens. It is also an issue that is beginning to draw the nation’s attention. Last month on her new web show, Katie Couric interviewed MADE (Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse) co-founder, Jane Randel, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Liz Claiborne Inc. and Catherine Pierce, Acting Director of the U.S. Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women. The interview focused on teen dating violence and abuse and what parents need to know to protect their children. The segment also includes an interview with Ann Burke, MADE’s other co-founder.
Teen Dating Violence is not a new phenomenon, but the awareness and acknowledgement of it is. In 2005, the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was updated to include language around the issue. And in 2005, the United States Congress unanimously passed a resolution dedicating the first week in February 2006 to Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention. Last year, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched, Start Strong, the largest national public health initiative ever funded to stop the spread of teen dating violence. Also in 2009, the Family Violence Prevention Fund unveiled their That’s Not Cool public service campaign geared toward educating teens about the realities of teen dating violence and digital abuse. And at the beginning of 2010, MTV launched their first initiative, A Thin Line, addressing this pervasive problem within their main demographic.
Heal
Are you or someone you know in an abusive relationship? Help is out there; click here to get help from the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline.
Educate
The prevalence and signs of dating violence and relationship abuse may surprise you. Learn the facts about abuse so you can protect yourself and those around you.
Empower
Our goal is to empower people to end the cycle of violence in our community. To get involved yourself, read up on our partnerships and see how you can play a role in helping make change happen.
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