February is Teen Dating Violence Month. One in 3 high school students will be involved in an abusive relationship, and 45 percent of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been abused.
If we want to prevent dating violence in the lives of our youth we need to talk to them! Talk to them about love, dating and relationships. Talk to them about your hopes and dreams for them. Teens also need to know there is information, safe options and support available for them.
DVS can provide services to teens in an abusive or scary relationship. We have lots of resources on our website, www.dvsbf.org, for teens and parents, including links to national hotlines and chatlines.
We can also provide training to teachers, counselors or anyone working with youth. You can ask your child's school for us to provide the training and tools to them.
Anyone can call our confidential 24-hour hotline at 582-9841 to talk and find out about what help is available.
Teen dating violence is a complex issue with no simple answers, but it is simple for each of us to play a role in ending it, especially for our own children!
ERINN GAILEY, Kennewick