February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAPM)!
Do you know what a healthy relationship looks like? Do you know what to do if you’re worried about your relationship or a friend’s relationship? Teen dating violence is more common than many people think. 1 in 3 teens will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse by someone they’re in a relationship with.
Every February, we take the opportunity to raise awareness about teen dating violence and talk about what we can do to address and prevent it. We’ll be sharing information all month long here and on our Facebook page. Follow us to find out how you can be a leader in preventing teen dating violence!
Everyone deserves to feel safe.
There are free and confidential services available to anyone who needs them. Loveisrespect can connect you to a peer advocate via phone call, text or online chat. Peer advocates are trained on issues related to dating abuse and healthy relationships and can listen to your situation, suggest resources, and support you in taking next steps.
Call 1-866-331-9474
Text “loveis” to 22522
Chat by visiting https://www.loveisrespect.org/for-yourself/
Worried for a friend or loved one?
If you think someone close to you is in an unhealthy relationship, your support is more important than ever. Be supportive, listen and acknowledge their feelings and be respectful of their decisions. Let them know you care about them, you’re concerned for their wellbeing and that they deserve to be in a healthy relationship.
For more tips about how to help a friend, roommate, coworker, family member or child, visit the Loveisrespect website.
What are you doing in your community to take action or raise awareness about teen dating violence?
In Anchorage, there are lots of opportunities for people of all ages to show support for healthy relationships. What activities is your community planning? Share with us by emailing rromberg@andvsa.org and we’ll share here and on our Stand Up Speak Up Facebook page.
Thank you LeadOn 2018!
LeadOn 2018 was incredible, thanks to the energy, passion and optimism of the young leaders who attended. Thanks to everyone who joined!
Shout out to Nome!
Art Contest! Cora in Valdez sent us some amazing sketches:
“Trust your partner in a long-distance relationship,its very important. You don’t know what actually happens They also don’t have to tell you everything that happens.”
Thank you for celebrating Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month with us!
Thanks to Katelyn in Valdez for sharing two amazing pieces of art for our Healthy Relationships art contest! Congratulations Katelyn, we are sending you a StandUpSpeakUp hoodie.
“A walk in the rain”
“Respect is one of the Greatest Expressions of love” -anonymous. Respect is really the greatest expression of love. It can really show through little acts you do day by day; it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Amour”
Love in french. I choose to draw a couple sitting down on a bench just relaxing and enjoying each others company. Love can be many things and I think one of them is respect. You can not enjoy their company without respect. A healthy relationship is what this looks like.
Everyone has the right to a safe and healthy relationship! For more information about creating a healthy relationship check out the “6 Steps” tab at the top of this page.
Dating Violence is a real issue here in Alaska. Over 1300 Alaskan students at traditional high schools were physically hurt on purpose by someone they were dating in the last year, according to the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Nearly 1700 students experienced dating or sexual violence.
It doesn’t have to be this way! Alaskan teens are working to change these numbers. Check out the “Take Action” tab at the top of this page to learn more.
Stand Up Speak Up honors all those affected by teen dating and sexual violence. We know this issue has lasting effects and can take lives. On June 25, 2014, 20-year old Breanna Moore was shot and killed by her boyfriend because of dating violence. Bree’s family is working with agencies across Alaska to raise awareness about teen dating violence to keep this from happening to you or someone you love.
If you or someone you know is in an unsafe relationship, click on the “love is respect.org” button to get help now.
We can all do something to build healthier, more respectful relationships.
Adults, start a conversation. Check out Talk Now Talk Often at tntoak.org
Check out this resource guide and plan something in your community for TDVAM today!
