February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Since it is February that means it is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and the color of the month is orange!
We all know that dating violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, financial status, race, gender, sexual orientation or background. Dating violence can also be physical, emotional/mental/verbal, sexual, financial or digital.
However, not everyone may know just how prevalent teen dating violence is:
1 in 3 teens in the US has experienced some form of abuse by a dating partner
1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their dating partner
1 in 4 teenage girls who have been in relationships reveled they have been pressured to perform sexual acts or engage in intercourse by their dating partner
Dating abuse affects around 1.5 million teens annually
Of girls ages 15-19 murdered each year, 30% are killed by their dating partner
As you can see from these statistics, it is very important that we spread awareness about teen dating violence to others in our communities.
Hopeful Horizons is proud to offer the community a variety of services. Two of the prevention efforts focused on creating a better future are doing big things this month! MOST Club (Men of Strength Club) and WISE Club (Women Inspiring Strength & Empowerment) are youth groups aimed at cultivating healthy masculinity and healthy femininity with our middle school and high schooled aged youth.
This month, MOST & WISE Clubs are going to bring that awareness to youth in a number of ways. They have guest speakers scheduled, multiple group activities planned, and clubs are going to create awareness posters to hang throughout the schools. These projects and activities are designed to bring about awareness on the statistics, warning signs and prevention/intervention methods for teen dating violence.
You too can join in on the national movement by following and posting to the hashtags:
#teenDVmonth - use this to promote Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
#loveisrespect -use this to share what love and respect mean to you
