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February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Dating abuse isn't something anyone wants to talk about, but as long as we're ignoring it, the problem will never go away. Instead, join Stay Teen as we participate in National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, a national effort to raise awareness about dating violence and abuse during the month of February.

We've collected resources, real stories, advice, and a lot more right here to help you learn more about dating abuse and how to deal with it. AND during the month of February, we'll be Tweeting about what love is and what it isn't; we want you to add your voice—just tweet your thoughts about what love is or isn't and tag your tweets with #loveis. (if you're not already, you can follow Stay Teen on Twitter here)

Did you know that:

  • 1 in 4 teen girls say they have been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner.
  • 1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say that a boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.
  • Half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they are afraid the relationship would end if they did not give in.
  • Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted as a result of pressure.

People (girls AND guys) can experience several different types of abuse which can include:

  • Physical abuse: any intentional use of physical force meant to cause fear or injury, like hitting, shoving, biting, strangling, kicking, or using a weapon.
  • Emotional abuse: non-physical behavior such as threats, insults, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, or stalking.
  • Sexual abuse: any action that forces undesired sexual behavior on you by another person. This includes making you do anything you don’t want to do sexually, refusing to have safe sex, aggressively pressuring you to go further than you want to sexually, or making you feel badly about yourself sexually.

Know the signs. Not sure if you’re in an unhealthy relationship? Take a step back and ask yourself the questions in our Dating Abuse Checklist. And get more information on Stay Teen's Dating Abuse page. And if you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, seek help. You are not alone and there are places you can turn to for help. Talk to your parents, a teacher, or another adult you can trust. You can also contact the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 (1-866-331-8453 for the hearing impaired) or online at www.loveisrespect.org.

Read Stories and Get Advice

We'll be adding more stories about dating abuse, healthy and unhealthy relationships, and dealing with these tough issues throughout the month of February, so make sure you check back to this page. Do you have a story you'd like to share with us about dating abuse or relationships? Check out our writing guidelines and then submit your story via email!

Get Involved:

There are a lot of simple ways you can join the fight against teen dating violence. For example:

  • Set your Facebook status or send out Tweets. Some examples include:
    • February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Get more info and help break the cycle! http://www.stayteen.org/article/dating-violence-month #TDVAPM #loveis
    • Not talking about it doesn't make it go away. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Join the conversation! http://www.stayteen.org/article/dating-violence-month #TDVAPM #loveis
    • Love is not abuse! February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. http://www.stayteen.org/article/dating-violence-month #TDVAPM #loveis

There are more great ideas at the official Teen Dating Violence and Prevention Awareness Month webpage. Check them out now!

Listen to a Podcast

In this Relationship Reality Podcast, we hear from two young women who were in abusive relationships when they were teenagers. Listen to their powerful stories and hear an expert talk about how you can prevent yourself or someone you love from finding yourself in the same situation. Download this podcast here or listen to it below.


More Resources:

You can find our more about dating violence at the following places:

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 by Stay Teen
UNDER

WHAT OTHER TEENS ARE SAYING:

ON JULY 17, 2011 AT 11:22 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

I was in an emotionally abusive relationship a few months ago, and I just hadn't figured it out until now. I think I'm finally gonna tell my big sister-like figure what was going on, because I've realized that I need help. Thank. You. So. Much. You people are the best!

ON MARCH 27, 2011 AT 8:45 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

This website is great... it really is cause it helps people my age understand things that our parents cant explain sometimes.and im doing a project on the effects of teen pregnancy and i come here to help me with it...I LOVE IT!! and i get to learn a few things that i didnt know! im gonna recommend this site to my friends!

ON MARCH 18, 2011 AT 7:15 PM, CHELSEE SAID:

Wow this is just reality.

ON FEBRUARY 27, 2011 AT 1:09 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

im in six grade and im in love with a eight grader he is 14 but when he talks to me i just cant speak what can i do to tell him i like him

ON FEBRUARY 26, 2011 AT 11:53 PM, NANCY SAID:

this is sad to see this girl geting hit by a boy

ON FEBRUARY 26, 2011 AT 2:41 PM, I LUV PINK SAID:

i nevr been in the spot light of being in a violent relationship but u always have to look in the mans perspective.. its not a law that women cant hit men but say a women tried to kill a man? what would he probably do? try to stop her but if she doesnt stop he probably will defend himself.. i have nothing agaisnt that but if a man jus hits a women for a dumb reason...ppsshh he needs to be jailed ... nd stop going agaisnt chris brown he is human no1 really knows the situation everyone makes a mistakes.

ON FEBRUARY 25, 2011 AT 11:07 AM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

OMG! iDont kno wuh iShouldd Do i Lqkk him buhh he havnt been comeinqq to skool for 2days nOw riqqht aftaa we had madee Out;;\

ON FEBRUARY 25, 2011 AT 12:35 AM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

this is a great website!!

ON FEBRUARY 24, 2011 AT 7:13 PM, JADIIBOO SAID:

iiLove this websitee it makes me aware about things i only half hear about ... its scares me how things happen to people

ON FEBRUARY 23, 2011 AT 2:39 PM, SAMANTHA ASK SKITTLES SAID:

i love this PAGE IT TALKS ABOUT LOVE AND ALL TAT AND I LOVE THIS PAGE THIS IS 4 EVRY BODY EVRY PERSON TAT ARE IN LOVE

ON FEBRUARY 23, 2011 AT 1:40 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

i loveeeeeeee dis website

ON FEBRUARY 23, 2011 AT 12:59 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

Quite a helpful Website<3

ON FEBRUARY 23, 2011 AT 11:37 AM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

i love this website so much but a bit ?

ON FEBRUARY 21, 2011 AT 5:50 PM, KENYA(: SAID:

i love mee.. and will never let a boy do that to me stickkkkk uPP for your SeLF.. no one elsle will lADIES but u(((:

ON FEBRUARY 21, 2011 AT 1:10 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

listening 2 this makes me skared tht my bf could b like this. im only a 6th grader and my skool dnt no anything about this

ON FEBRUARY 20, 2011 AT 1:44 PM, REN-REN SAID:

true site

ON FEBRUARY 19, 2011 AT 12:57 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

my mom says i am not supposed to have a boyfriend i donnt even think about boys i work on my work I DONT THINK ABOUT BOYS

ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011 AT 3:58 PM, BRANDI LEI SAID:

i know no one reads these but im going to say it anyway!! you girls out there that are getting beat up and abused shouldnt hit back they should leave! ya ik that u love them but if he wants to be like that LEAVE!!!! i live in Chariton Ia and they all think they better than anyone, but there really not!!!!!! dont put your self down!!! keep your head held HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!! luv all u guys and dont take no s*i* from those people. hope we get to meet sometime! luv ya! lol

ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011 AT 3:42 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

wow this site amazing and touching

ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011 AT 1:07 PM, ROSEALINDA SAID:

wow im SOOOOOOO happy i read that

ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011 AT 12:27 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

this web site really works

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011 AT 8:57 PM, SHAMBONE SAID:

i was heart broken i heard my boyfriend say that he wanted to break up with me behind my back. so i also heard him say that he did not want to hert me but then i heard him say to his friends that after he told them that he was going to tell me the next day. so i acted as i did not hear anything but i did i had to break up before he said it to anyone else but before i did that i heard them say why? he said that it was because we were not doing anything so it was kind of slow. no i did not have sex or anything like that but i wanted to get out before that happened.

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011 AT 2:37 PM, ASHLY SAID:

i dont get boys really help me

ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011 AT 12:59 PM, DIAMOND SAID:

my boyfriend broke up with me then went out with my friend then broke up with her then went back out with me and it countinues now over an over what should i do

ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011 AT 11:17 PM, KADIE SAID:

i need help, my ex just keeps playing, he loves me, we fight, he loves me, we fight.. what do i do?

ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011 AT 7:19 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

chris brown should come to this site

ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011 AT 12:34 PM, BEBE DEE SAID:

love this wedsite good one

ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011 AT 12:27 AM, DIVABABY SAID:

that's good website....(:

ON FEBRUARY 14, 2011 AT 2:53 PM, THE PERSON THAT EVERYONE LIKES SAID:

just joking i love this websitemy friends just dared me to write that thing that i wrote earlier

ON FEBRUARY 14, 2011 AT 2:51 PM, THE PERSON THAT EVERYONE LIKES SAID:

i hate this website i am so much better than everyone else like omg the story doesnt help and everyone loves me im like totally the most liked and preetiest loved most talented person in the whole wide world i am a 15 year old sensation

ON FEBRUARY 13, 2011 AT 1:15 PM, ZANIA BROWN SAID:

this is cool it helps

ON FEBRUARY 13, 2011 AT 12:14 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

thst was good info

ON FEBRUARY 12, 2011 AT 1:07 AM, SAFE SAID:

really helpful imformation

ON FEBRUARY 11, 2011 AT 12:29 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

i think that it helps us so much

ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011 AT 3:40 PM, MANAL ALI SAID:

i think thay shoud knot heart echother and try to werk it up so thay try to work it up so that is all

ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011 AT 2:03 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

this is a great site i think its gonna help me alot! :)

ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011 AT 12:24 PM, BUNNYBABE SAID:

That's So True.!

ON FEBRUARY 10, 2011 AT 12:21 PM, BUNNYBABE SAID:

This Is So True..
Thank Yhuu(; .!

ON FEBRUARY 9, 2011 AT 3:28 PM, LAUREN SAID:

hey my name is lauren i like this guy name andrew in my school how do i ask him out? plz tell me

ON FEBRUARY 9, 2011 AT 2:40 PM, ROKERIA HOLLIS SAID:

I love this wbsite it really helps i just truned into a teen and wonder about all the things that diz website talks about now i know more information.

ON FEBRUARY 9, 2011 AT 12:06 PM, SANHA SAID:

wow

ON FEBRUARY 7, 2011 AT 9:51 PM, KAYLA. SAID:

He Took So Much From Me. Im Getting Help Now. This Site Is Amazing

ON FEBRUARY 8, 2011 AT 10:01 AM, STAY TEEN SAID:

@ KAYLA:

So glad the site has helped and good for you for getting help for yourself! Be strong—Stay Teen supports you!
 

ON FEBRUARY 7, 2011 AT 6:23 PM, IMEMEMEMEMEMEMEMEM SAID:

i love this freakin website!!!!!!!!

ON FEBRUARY 7, 2011 AT 4:33 PM, NO NAME! SAID:

This an amazing site, it tells you of abusive relationships, and makes you think should I really deal with my relationship, I don't need this. Amazing website, great job!

ON FEBRUARY 6, 2011 AT 5:00 PM, HEART BROKEN (RP) SAID:

this websit is really helpful but there is one question i have that i cant find and i dont wanna talk to my parents about it my question what if you are at a party and u get drunk and your only way home home is with your friend and they are drunk to what do you do if no one at home is home? and my other question how do you get through a brake up when he asks you to marry him and he cheats on you and he has a kid how do you get throough that ?

ON FEBRUARY 5, 2011 AT 11:30 AM, LINZIE SAID:

way to much freakin words. >:|

ON FEBRUARY 4, 2011 AT 4:26 PM, ANONYMOUS SAID:

this is a great website.
It is terrible though how these girls get abused...girls are way more sensitive then guys. You shouldnt just deal with it, you need to tell someone. Girls shouldnt put up with violence. Love should be having a good time and trusting your partner, not hitting and abusing each other. Just because they call you and wonder where you are doesnt mean they necessarily care for you. They might want to love you but they can get physical. If you ever have a sign of a relationship getting physical need to be told to someone as soon as possible. Don't wait and go through the pain. Say something.

ON FEBRUARY 4, 2011 AT 4:16 PM, LA'VERA JONES SAID:

this website is a good website for girls like me an my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love this website!

ON FEBRUARY 3, 2011 AT 1:52 PM, AMANDA WACHTER SAID:

this is a great site bc people that are alone can read this and not feel alone..girls dont take no s*i% from no one!!!!

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