Domestic Violence Services raising awareness of teen dating violence
Katherine Mansfield
Katherine Mansfield
One in three teens will experience an abusive relationship before adulthood. In February, local students are encouraged to submit short films about healthy dating to the DVSSP and spread the word about teen dating violence.
To raise awareness for teen dating violence, DVSSP last year handed out Love Is Respect bracelets at Canon-McMillan High School. The bracelets are orange, the color of teen dating violence awareness. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Orbin)
Alexandra Brooks, director of prevention at DVSSP, sets up a table in the Canon-McMillan High School cafeteria to raise awareness for teen dating violence. #RespectWeek2022 runs from Feb. 7 through Feb. 11, and students are encouraged to Wear #Orange4Love that Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Leslie Orbin)
In February, we celebrate Groundhog Day, Valentine无毛视频檚 Day and 无毛视频� every four years 无毛视频� one extra day on the calendar.
But February is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and like every year since 2010, the Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania is hosting several activities to draw attention to the issue.
无毛视频淭een dating violence, unfortunately, is very common,无毛视频� said Leslie Orbin, communications specialist for DVSSP. 无毛视频淪tudies have shown that 1 in 3 teens in the United States will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse with someone they无毛视频檙e in a relationship with before they无毛视频檙e an adult.无毛视频�
This year无毛视频檚 theme #TalkAboutIt 无毛视频� something many people don无毛视频檛 do 无毛视频� serves as a call to action for young people to explore healthy relationships and identify red flags in unhealthy or abusive ones.
无毛视频淲hen they think of dating violence, they think of physical abuse,无毛视频� Orbin said. 无毛视频淚f somebody无毛视频檚 wanting to look through your texts, look through your phone; constantly calling to check up on you 无毛视频� monitoring who you无毛视频檙e communicating with 无毛视频� all those are on a spectrum of abusive behaviors in a relationship.无毛视频�
无毛视频淚f somebody无毛视频檚 a teen and it无毛视频檚 the first relationship they无毛视频檝e ever had, they might feel that kind of attention is flattering. We recognize that romantic relationships between teenagers can be incredibly complicated. We want to make sure that everybody knows about teen dating violence.无毛视频�
During February, Fayette, Greene and Washington County students in grades seven through 12 are invited to create and submit videos promoting dating safety or healthy relationships.
Videos must have a run time of between two and five minutes.
The contest, sponsored by First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County, opens today, and submissions will be accepted through March 1.
Cash prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners. The Prevention and Outreach staff serve as the judging panel and winners will be announced in early March.
In addition to the video contest, the DVSSP is hosting #RespectWeek alongside love is respect, a national organization dedicated to preventing unhealthy relationships through empowerment, inclusivity, education and support.
Orbin said DVSSP has resources available for interested schools or student organizations to hand out during #RespectWeek, which runs Feb. 7 through 11.
On Feb. 8, local schools are encouraged to Wear #Orange4Love. #Orange4Love Day is a chance for teens to speak up against dating violence, discuss healthy relationships, snap selfies and post photos to social media under the hashtags #RespectWeek2022, #Orange4Love and #DVSSP.
无毛视频淧eople can see that you无毛视频檙e helping to raise awareness, that you无毛视频檙e committed to spreading the word,无毛视频� Orbin said. 无毛视频淲e just feel like because it无毛视频檚 so common 无毛视频� and the stats show that it is common 无毛视频� we want to continue our efforts as much as we can, get the word out. There is help available.无毛视频�
Help is available 24/7 at the DVSSP无毛视频檚 hotline: 800-791-4000.
Orbin said the hotline is open to anyone, including concerned parents, family members and friends.
无毛视频淎ll of our services are open to anybody who may be experiencing abuse in a relationship. If somebody无毛视频檚 concerned 无毛视频� we can talk that through with them as well, get them some guidance,无毛视频� she said.
For more information on Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, or for resources and ways to get involved, visit http://www.peacefromdv.org/teendvmonth/.
You may also reach out to the DVSSP无毛视频檚 by phone at 724-223-5477 or email edutrain@peacefromdv.org.