Even though February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, most teenagers and parents won’t be talking about it.
The vast majority of teenagers don’t believe the words “domestic abuse” or “intimate partner violence” can apply to their dating activities. They think those terms describe adults who are abused by husbands, wives, boyfriends or girlfriends. It’s just one example of how teens lack the vocabulary for talking about what’s happening to so many of them.
This month, Sheltering Wings uses the support you’ve given us to redouble our educational outreach into schools and the community. Through our Youth Council, we are offering resources to help schools assess their current policies about sexual violence and harassment and recommend solutions. We are prompting social media interactions with teens about how various types of violence overlap. We are hosting awareness-raising events and sharing social media-ready messages to spread information about teen dating violence and healthy teen relationships. For more information about all of these Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month activities, visit the Youth Council page on our website.
It’s gratifying to watch young people respond, both as volunteers and recipients of the information we share. It’s great to hear about the conversations we spark among families, friends and classmates. And I’m grateful to hear from current and new supporters who want to help us in our work.
Start a conversation with a teen today! And, be sure to keep an eye on this month’s blogs for guidance and resources.
In His service,
Cassie Mecklenburg
Executive Director
P.S. Teens listen best to other teens. If your student or someone you know wants to help other teens learn about healthy relationships, they might consider joining our Teen Council. Contact Melissa Echerd at (317) 386-5061 to talk about how they can make a difference!
