February 8, 2022 by Natalie Cochran
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month – Talk About It 2022
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) is a month-long campaign dedicated to raising awareness about teen dating abuse in an effort to prevent it before it starts. It is important to speak up about the challenges teens face in relationships, and the reality that dating violence happens to millions of people, including teens.
Getting the conversation started about teen dating violence helps build healthy and meaningful relationships. That is why this year’s theme is Talk About It. Giving teens the resources to have these conversations is a huge part of this national campaign.
One in three teens in the United States will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they come adults. Teen dating violence can go from healthy to unhealthy to even abusive.
Typical warning signs include:
- Checking your phone, email or social media accounts without your permission;
- Putting you down frequently, especially in front of others;
- Isolating you from friends or family;
- Extreme jealousy or insecurity;
- Explosive outbursts, temper or mood swings;
- Any form of physical harm;
- Possessiveness or controlling behavior; and
- Pressuring you or forcing you into sex.
To Talk About It, advocates need to start the conversation and spread awareness online, on campus, at work or hanging out with family and friends. You can always ask each other questions, but make sure to establish to others that you are in a safe space.
All month, we’ll raise awareness on our social media platforms about National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Anyone can use these hashtags on social media. #TalkAboutIt #TDVAM2022.
Catch our February episode of The Safe Space on Teen Dating Violence here. The Safe Space is a monthly virtual outreach series aimed at providing information and resources to survivors of sexual assault.
If you or someone you know needs legal help, you can apply at https://www.lonestarlegal.org or by calling 1-800-733-8394.
Lone Star Legal Aid is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit law firm focused on advocacy for low-income and underserved populations. Lone Star Legal Aid serves millions of people at 125% of federal poverty guidelines that reside in 72 counties in the eastern and Gulf Coast regions of Texas, and 4 counties of Southwest Arkansas. Lone Star Legal Aid focuses its resources on maintaining, enhancing, and protecting income and economic stability; preserving housing; improving outcomes for children; establishing and sustaining family safety and stability, health and well‐being; and assisting populations with special vulnerabilities, like those with disabilities, or who are elderly, homeless, or have limited English language skills. To learn more about Lone Star Legal Aid, visit our website at https://www.lonestarlegal.org.
Media contact: Media@LoneStarLegal.org
