February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, or Teen DV Month (sometimes even called TDVAM).  It is a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in teen and 20-something relationships and promote programs that prevent it.

Teen Dating Violence is defined to include physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional/psychological abuse between teenage dating partners (www.teendvmonth.org):

Physical Violence in Teen Dating Relationships
Violence and physical abuse in teenage romantic relationships is a rising problem in America. Each year, approximately one out of every 10 high school students, or 1.5 million teenagers, is physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Physical abuse can include: hitting, smacking, striking, kicking, hair pulling and strangling.

Sexual Abuse in Teen Dating Relationships
Sexual involvement and experimentation can be fine when both teenage partners are willing and consenting participants. One in ten teens involved in a romantic relationship report being "kissed, touched, or physically forced" to have sex against their will by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Learn what consent is like in a healthy relationship.

Emotional Abuse in Teen Dating Relationships
Emotional and psychological abuse are common as they do not result in visible bruising.  They can also cause victims to suffer irreparable harm.  Examples of behaviors that may be considered emotionally abusive include: name calling, belittling, stalking, preventing a dating partner from having contact with others, body shaming and controlling social media and communication.


Educate yourself with these helpful resources:

Love is Respect: this site has a wealth of information, including quizzes you can take to see if you're in a healthy relationship, resources for getting help and how to stay safe. Peer advocates are available 24/7 to talk. Text "love is" to 22522 or call 1-866-331-9474.


Break the Cycle: includes a lot of information to determine if you, or someone you know, are in an abusive relationship, offers quizzes you can take, blog posts for information and resources to know your rights.

No More: provides dating violence facts, support for survivors, valuable bystander scenarios and tells how one can take action.


Everyone deserves to be treated with respect; especially yourself.