Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month February 2012

This year, President Barack Obama declared February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. He said "the consequences of dating violence -- spanning impaired development to physical harm -- pose a threat to the health and well-being of teens across our Nation, and it is essential we come together to break the cycle of violence that burdens too many of our sons and daughters.." He called upon all Americans to "support efforts in their communities and schools, and in their own families, to empower young people to develop healthy relationships throughout their lives and to engage in activities that prevent and respond to teen dating violence" (source, Day One)

The statistics are still outrageous, and we should all do something, if nothing else, sign a petition to strengthen the laws protecting the victims and forcing the batterer to seek treatment.  The Federal Dating Violence Policy - Violence Against Women's Act (VAWA), first introduced in 1994, was reauthorized in 2000 and 2005, and is now before Congress again.  A bipartisan bill has  been introduced to strengthen and reauthorize VAWA.  Read here what you can do to get involved and ensure it is passed.

Below are a listing of web pages with both information regarding teen dating violence and ways you can get involved to help:


Day One

Break the Cycle  You can also find them on Facebook here

Love is Respect

All our children deserve to be in non-violent, loving relationships.  Let's do our part to ensure they do!