Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (and How It Is Addressed in Teen Therapy)

Every February, communities around the world observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), a critical initiative aimed at raising awareness about the prevalence of dating violence among adolescents and promoting healthy behaviors within adolescent relationships.

Beginnings of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) traces its roots back to 2005 when Congress designated February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This declaration was a response to the alarming rates of dating violence among teenagers and the need to address this issue proactively.

Since then, TDVAM has evolved into a global movement, with organizations, schools, and communities joining forces to educate young people about the warning signs of abuse, provide support for victims, and advocate for policies and resources to prevent teen dating violence.

The urgency of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is underscored by alarming statistics.

1. 1 in 3 US teens will experience abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before reaching adulthood.

2. Nearly half (43%) of U.S. college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.

3. In the United States, up to 19% of teens experience sexual or physical dating violence, about half face stalking or harassment, and as many as 65% report being psychologically abused (“Teen Dating Violence,” Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice, 2022).

These numbers highlight the pervasive nature of dating violence among adolescents and the importance of addressing this issue.

Despite the prevalence of teen dating violence, many adolescents remain unaware of the warning signs or feel reluctant to seek help. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month serves as a crucial platform for breaking the silence surrounding dating abuse and empowering teenagers to recognize unhealthy relationship dynamics.

**Typical Warning Signs of Abuse from LoveIsRespect.org

• 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 (physically, financially, or emotionally).

• Extreme jealousy or insecurity.

• Explosive outbursts, temper, or mood swings.

• Any form of physical harm.

• Possessiveness or controlling behavior. **TeenDVMonth.org  highlights the following as behaviors that raise a "red flag" for an unhealthy relationship and/or dating violence.

•      Excessive jealousy or insecurity

•      Invasions of your privacy

•      Unexpected bouts of anger or rage

•      Unusual moodiness

•      Pressuring a partner into unwanted sexual activity

•      Blaming you for problems in the relationship and not taking any responsibility for the same

•      Controlling tendencies

•      Explosive temper

•      Preventing you from going out with or talking to other people

•      Constantly monitoring your whereabouts and checking in to see what you are doing and who you are with

•      Falsely accusing you of things

•      Vandalizing or ruining your personal property

•      Taunting or bullying

•      Threatening or causing physical violence

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month for February 2024 is "Love Like That." This theme encourages young people to reflect on the qualities of "that" type of love- highlighting the ability of adolescents to identify and emulate healthy, respectful relationships in their own lives. This theme also emphasizes the importance of mutual respect, trust, communication, and consent in romantic relationships. It challenges conventional notions of love and highlights the need for empathy, understanding, and equality between partners.

By promoting the "Love Like That" theme, TDVAM aims to inspire conversations among teenagers about what healthy love looks like and how to cultivate it in their relationships.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month encourages adolescents to set boundaries, prioritize their well-being, and recognize the difference between healthy love and abusive behaviors. This month serves as an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the issue of dating violence among adolescents and work towards creating safer and healthier relationships. It's imperative to support a platform that acknowledges the necessity of relationships based on respect, equality, and love.

Teen Therapy

As a trauma-informed therapist specializing in therapy with adolescents, I often prioritize the following areas when addressing teen dating: safety, communication, and empowerment. Safety is always prioritized when I am providing therapy to a teenager- no matter the focus of therapy. In regards to teen dating, safety often includes discussions focusing on recognizing red flags (like the ones outlined above), setting boundaries, and understanding consent. I also provide education (and often address misinformation!) on various forms of abuse and encourage teens to trust their instincts while promoting safe dating practices like meeting in public places and utilizing technology responsibly. In addition to safety, communication skills are often addressed. I work with teens in therapy to practice expressing their thoughts and feelings effectively in an effort to promote assertiveness in their relationship with their significant other. Assertiveness is practiced through role-playing exercises that focus on real-life conversations and experiences. As they become more knowledgeable and skilled, teenagers report feeling more confident in their ability to make informed decisions and navigate relationships with autonomy, fostering a sense of empowerment. I hope that by offering education and improving communication skills, the adolescent will experience a positive shift in their self-worth, will be more attuned to their own values, and will practice self-advocacy in their relationship.

If you are interested in learning more about therapy for your teen, reach out regarding any questions here or schedule a complimentary consultation.

Resources:

Healthy relationships for young adults | love is respect

Checkout the 2024 Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Action Guide.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month | Youth.gov

Teen DV Month: Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention | Info on Teen Dating Violence (teendvmonth.org)

Fast Facts: Preventing Teen Dating Violence |Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC