Prevent Dating Violence this Valentines Day, all February, all the time!

Being that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and that today is Valentines Day, I thought today was a great opportunity to raise awareness on the prevention of something that effects 1 in 3 teens. The statistics are shocking and sobering. Take that teenage girl when she grows up and add her to the adult female pool of statistics that 1 in 4 woman will be sexually assaulted in their life. These numbers are scary, yes, but there are ways in which we can recognize the signs of an abusive relationship. Abuse does not only come in physical form and it doesn’t have to leave scars. Abuse can be physical, emotional, mental, sexual, and digital.

I recently came across a new developing blog through twitter called To be Fearless in which their entry explains exactly what teen dating violence looks like, the signs, and prevention. I highly suggest you follow their website as well as their twitter. They are continually posting moving and encouraging stories, educating information, current news stories.

There are many websites and resources that offer information and education on topics such as teen dating violence as well as sexual assault, rape, self-harm, suicide, and many more. Here are a list of helpful hotlines to call when you are in need of immediate assistance.


Love is Respect
National Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474
www.loveisrespect.org

Domestic/Relationship Abuse
National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.ndvh.org
800-799-SAFE

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Abuse/Violence Child Protective Services: 1-810-412-6109

National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-HOPE

Safe Horizon
www.safehorizon.org
800-621-HOPE

Cutting/Self-Abuse Finally Ends (SAFE)
www.selfinjury.com
800-DONT-CUT

Alcohol and Drug Helpline: 1-800-821-4357

National Eating Disorder Hotline: 1-800-248-3285

National Suicide Hotline
1-800-SUICIDE

Gay and Lesbian National Hotline
www.glnh.org
888-THE-GLNH (888-843-4564)

LAMBDA
A non-profit, gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender agency dedicated to reducing homophobia, inequality, hate crimes, and discrimination by encouraging self-acceptance, cooperation, and non-violence.
www.lambda.org
208-246-2292

National Youth Crisis Helpline: 1-800-999-9999

National Teen Emergency Hotline: 1-800-448-3000

Teen Line Hotline Help Center
www.teenline.org
714-NEW-TEEN (714-639-8336)



Here are other websites that I have found in my search that are helpful resources and educational sites to raise awareness and offer information.



Break The Cycle
Break the Cycle's mission is to engage, educate and empower youth to build lives and communities free from dating and domestic violence.
www.breakthecycle.org

Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
Search for counseling centers by zip code.
www.rainn.org

The Joyful Heart Foundation
Joyful Heart's mission is to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues. Orginally started as a non-profit dedicated to helping victims of sexual assault through dolphin-human therapy.
www.Joyfulheartfoundation.org

Endthebacklog.org is an effort created by the Joyful Heart Foundation to shine a light on the existence of the rape kit backlog across the United States. The site is designed to serve as an educational platform for those who wish to educate themselves about the backlog and efforts that are being made across the country to eradicate it.

To be Fearless
A blog recently started to educate people on issues like rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.
www.Tobefearless.wordpress.com

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov

Eating Disorders
National Eating Disorders Association
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
website: www.nida.nih.gov

Alcoholics Anonymous
www.aa.org

The Well Project
For Women with HIV or AIDS
www.thewellproject.org

The Cool Spot (for teens)
www.thecoolspot.gov

The bottom line is that love shouldn’t hurt. Someone who loves you should respect you. Dating violence or relationship abuse can happen at any point in a person’s life and abuse does not discriminate. It can happen to a man, woman, black, white, rich, or poor person. There is a certain stigma of shame attached to being a victim that needs to be removed. Being victimized can happen to anyone and there is no shame in asking for help. And please, if you know someone who is in an abusive relationship, don’t allow the bystander effect take over. With knowledge to empower and educate us, we can have a chance to change that statistic. There is hope for a brighter future for everyone. Take time today to show your loved ones how much you care about them, love them, and respect them.

Happy Valentines Day
Love Love Love To All,

Katie
xoxoxoxo