loveisrespect Blog

October is just around the corner, especially if you’re planning events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Though teen dating abuse has it’s own awareness week in February, obviously the issue of teen dating abuse and domestic violence overlap. Teens are involved in abusive relationships. They have friends that are involved in abusive relationships. They also live in homes with domestic violence.   

Teens should be recognized and involved during DVAM. During the month of October, we’ll be on the lookout for teens involved in domestic violence awareness events.

If you don’t know what’s being planned for DVAM in your area or you’d like to get involved, try contacting your local domestic violence program (one of our advocates can help you locate it), your school, or even your state coalition on domestic violence. So far, we’ve seen walks, vigils, benefit art displays, and donation drives on calendars across the country. If there isn’t anything planned in your area - consider doing it yourself. We’ll be featuring some DIY DVAM ideas here during the next few weeks.

If you had to get a protective order against someone you dated, what would happen if they went to your school?  Or if the ex that was stalking you was in your chemistry class?  Would your school help you?

Texas, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts are some of the very few states that have passed leglislation  requiring schools to have a response to dating abuse situations. This can include teaching dating abuse awareness in health class, enforcing protective orders on campus, and safety planning with students who report being in abusive relationships.  

Sign this petition, sponsored by Jennifer Ann’s Group, to show your support for dating abuse legislation and education in your own state.

I was surfing YouTube the other day and I found this great video:

The PSA is great because it gives an overview of topics that we hear about a lot on calls and chats, and stresses the fact that these situations are no less serious or dangerous because the people in the relationships are teens.

The video was produced by pre-teen, and teenage women participating in the Reel Grrls program, an after school program to get youth involved in media. Way to go, Reel Grrls, keep up the socially conscious work!