Simple Actions You Can Take to Help End Teen Dating Violence
February is a special month for us here at FUTURES. It’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month―a national awareness initiative to promote healthy, respectful relationships. Relationship abuse is often associated with domestic violence. But violence doesn’t only take place among partners who are married; abuse is also prevalent among partners who are dating. In fact, it’s estimated that one in five high schoolers will experience dating abuse. Here at FUTURES, we’re committed to preventing violence before it starts. This means teaching young people about healthy relationships at an early age, and empowering them to speak up when they see something wrong.
This month, we challenge you to help spread the word about teen dating violence. Check out these simple ways you can take action and be an upstander in your community!
Knowledge is Power.
Check out our brand new, completely redesigned That’s Not Cool website! You’ll find a wealth of resources for teens and adults, including sharable statistics, a Q&A section about teen dating violence, and tips and stories for promoting healthy relationships in your community.
Talk it Out.
Talk to the teens in your life about the affects of dating abuse. Check out these resources for tips and information to get the conversation started!
Activate Your Community.
Advocate for change at your school or community by becoming a That’s Not Cool Ambassador or Adult Ally. This is a unique opportunity to take action―whether you’re a student who wants to raise awareness about an issue that affects your friends, family, and community, or an adult educator who wants to empower teens to be part of the solution.
Wear Orange.
Orange is the official color of the Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month movement. We challenge you (and your community) to wear orange on February 9th and post pictures on social media with the hashtag #Orange4Love.
Share it on Social.
During the month of February, help spread the word about Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month by changing your Facebook cover photo and profile pic! Show your social network what you stand for.
