AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — During February’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, domestic violence and youth advocacy organizations are inviting Americans to work together to prevent dating abuse through the #1Thing campaign. Studies show one in three high school students experience physical and/or sexual violence by someone they are dating.
Data shows that dating violence is experienced by nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide each year and nearly half (43%) of all college women and one third (28%) of college men report having experienced either abuse or controlling behaviors in a dating relationship.
“Dating violence is an epidemic that is 100% preventable. We need to support our teens with education about dating violence prevention,” says Katie Ray-Jones, CEO of The National Domestic Violence Hotline and its project loveisrespect. “If every teen can understand just one more thing, we can prevent dating abuse.”
Throughout the month, participants are encouraged to engage others on social media using #1Thing, and download the #1Thing Action Guide.
“With 1 in 3 teens experiencing dating violence, it is clear that all teens are at risk,” says Katie Ray-Jones. “We want everyone to come together to promote messages highlighting the differences between healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships.”
Follow #TDVAM2020 and #1Thing to join the conversation.
- Feb. 9-15: It’s Respect Week! It’s time to get educated about unhealthy behaviors.
- Feb. 10, 1:00 PM EST: Join the webinar “Update on Teen Dating Violence: #1Thing to Start a Movement” – loveisrespect, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the One Love Foundation will discuss the epidemic of dating abuse, current dating trends among young people, and what to look for in a healthy relationship. Register here.
- Feb. 11: Wear orange today and share on social media why you stand against dating abuse.
loveisrespect.org is a project of The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Its purpose is to engage, educate and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships. Advocates provide support through online chat at loveisrespect.org, text loveis to 22522* or call 1-866-331-9474, 24/7/365. *Msg&Data Rates apply on text for help services. Read our privacy policy and Terms & Conditions. Text STOP to 22522 to unsubscribe. Text HELP to 22522 for tech support.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline relies on the generous support of individuals, private gifts from corporations, foundations, and federal grants. It is funded in part by Grant Number 90EV0426 from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Administration for Children and Families or the U.S. Department of HHS.
SOURCE The National Domestic Violence Hotline
