Each February, communities across the nation recognize Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) — a time dedicated to raising awareness about the serious issue of abusive relationships among teenagers.
Established to promote education, prevention and support, the month encourages students, families, educators and communities to learn about the warning signs of unhealthy relationships and how to foster safe, respectful connections.
Teen dating violence encompasses physical, sexual, emotional and digital abuse — any behavior used by one partner to control or harm another in the context of a romantic relationship.
Awareness efforts aim to break the silence around this issue and ensure that teens know where to find help and how to support peers who may be suffering.
The statistics around teen dating violence underscore both the scale and complexity of the problem.
According to public health data, nearly 1.5 million high school students in the U.S. experience physical abuse from a dating partner each year. Broader estimates suggest that up to one in three adolescents will experience some form of abuse — physical, sexual or emotional — before adulthood.
In addition, around 10 percent to 13 percent of teens report being physically hurt or sexually abused in a relationship, and many more experience psychological or digital forms of abuse like stalking or pressured social media control. These experiences are associated with serious negative outcomes, including increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance use and even thoughts of suicide.
Beyond raising awareness of hard facts, TDVAM seeks to empower young people with the tools to build healthy relationships and recognize early warning signs of abuse.
Programs and campaigns during February often include workshops, school activities, community events and social media outreach designed to encourage open conversations between teens and trusted adults about respect, consent and boundaries.
Parents and mentors can show support by listening without judgment and offering guidance when teens face relationship challenges. By educating young people, promoting respect and standing together against abuse, we can create a community where all teens know that love should never hurt.
How you can get involved in TDVAM
We are asking the community to participate in our Wear Orange Day on Feb. 13.
The Pagosa Pirate basketball team is also going to be sporting orange on Feb. 13 in honor of TDVAM.
Come out, support the Pirates and all the teens in our amazing community.
>