Board Members

Margaret Cott

Judy Kays

Wilma Garrett

Pam Sebastian

Rich DePaoli

Cliff Cato

Michelle Hanson

Debbie Wilhite

Gabrielle Huston

Carol Brown

The Beacon

January, 2007

Volume 1, Issue 8

www.thelighthouseshelter.org

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

AWARENESS & PREVENTION WEEK

FEBRUARY 5-9, 2007

 

Working with teenagers throughout the nation, the American Bar Association initiated the Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative. The first National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention week was held in 2006. This year February 5-9, 2007 has been designated as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.

 

Sadly, 1 in 3 teenagers have experienced violence in a dating relationship. Fifty percent to 80% of teens have reported knowing others who were involved in violent relationships. While 15% of teen girls and boys report being victims of severe dating violence, it is young women, ages 16 to 24 years who experience the highest rates of relationship violence.

 

What is considered teen dating violence?

Dating violence is controlling, abusive and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship.  It can happen in a straight or gay relationship. It can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or a combination.

 

If you are a victim of dating violence, you might……

¨ Think it’s your fault

¨ Feel angry, sad, lonely, depressed or confused

¨ Feel helpless to stop the abuse

¨ Feel threatened or humiliated

¨ Feel anxious

¨ Not know what might happen next

¨ Feel like you can’t talk to family and friends

¨ Be afraid of getting hurt more seriously

¨ Feel protective of your boyfriend/girlfriend

 

Get Help!

Being a victim of dating violence is not your fault. Nothing you say, wear, or do gives anyone the right to hurt you. If you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately. Don’t keep your concerns to yourself. Talk to someone you trust like a parent, teacher, school principal, counselor, or nurse. You might also want to talk to a trusted family member, a friend’s parent, an adult neighbor or friend, an older sibling or cousin, or other experienced person whom you trust.

 

If you want help deciding who to talk to, call The National Center for Victims of Crime Helpline at 1-800-FYI-CALL . Locally you may also contact the Lighthouse Shelter. Our

advocates will be able to talk with you about relationship violence, what it is, and what to do about it. You may reach us by calling our local number 660-831-0988 or our toll free number 888-831-0988. We are available 24 hours per day 365 days per year to help you.

 

 

Want to read more about dating violence? 

Read GET HELP

series bulletin on teen dating violence at  www.ncvc.org/gethelp