Blog
Teen Dating Violence: What to Look for and What to Do
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. For over 20 years, Wedgwood’s Positive Youth Development (PYD) team has been providing programming for students to help them recognize and develop healthy relationships.
Through grant and donor-funded programs, Wedgwood’s PYD educates 5th – 12th grade students on topics such as good and bad friendships, healthy relationships, consent, break-ups, and what to do if you are in a toxic or unhealthy relationship.
“An important reminder we tell our students is that healthy relationships take time to build,” said Gina Boscarino, Group Specialist for Wedgwood’s PYD and Teen CHARGE. “Knowing what is normal, and what is not, empowers youth to make smarter choices when it comes to friends, social situations, and romantic relationships.”
According to www.loveisrespect.org, common types of abuse include Physical abuse, Emotional and Verbal abuse, Sexual abuse, Financial abuse, Digital abuse, and Stalking. There are several signs can indicate that a teen is an unhealthy relationship and could be experiencing dating violence.
- An uneven distribution of power or control, one partner having greater control over the other, due to things such as age, popularity, or physical size.
- A pattern or continued use of controlling behavior by one partner over the other.
- Isolating from friends and family, intimidation, coercion and threats, and emotional abuse.
- An insistence on wanting to get physical too fast or emotionally intimate right away.
Cell phones and social media also play a big role in dating violence for teens.
“Sexting is unfortunately quite common. These messages can be used to manipulate, intimidate, or shame someone,” said Boscarino. “We also notice that social media increases levels of mistrust, which in unhealthy relationships can mean demanding to go through or have access to a partners phone or social media accounts. Kids don’t realize they can say no and are entitled to their privacy – even within a romantic relationship.”
Parents can also keep communication lines open with kids, supervise and set clear boundaries for things like social media presence, and when and where kids can hang out with friends or romantic partners, and remind kids of their “Relationship Rights” – like the right to be treated with respect and to say NO at any time.
“A great way to start conversations about healthy relationships is to talk about the relationships teens see portrayed in their favorite shows or movies,” said Boscarino. “There are lots of examples of healthy and unhealthy relationships – ask kids what they are noticing about the relationships.”
If there is concern about a relationship, teens should reach out to a safe adult – like a parent, teacher, or mentor. Parents can reach out to network180 for emergency help.
Wedgwood offers help for teens and families through prevention programing and counseling services.
The Positive Youth Development team offers a variety of programming for students: Teen CHARGE – a student leadership program focusing on peer-to-peer education, Project SUCCESS – promoting positive choices and success through the prevention of drug and alcohol use, and Real Essentials – which focuses on promoting healthy relationships and sexual risk avoidance. To learn more, email cracalla@wedgwood.org.
Wedgwood’s counseling services offer grace-filled support and therapy for those who may have experienced dating violence, or other mental health challenges. Counseling services are open to new clients, and available for children, teens, families, and adults, with teletherapy options. To learn more or set up an initial appointment: visit www.wedgwood.org/counseling or call 616.942.7294