Teen Dating Violence Action Month 2022

This February, YWCA Spokane looks to engage youth and adults in meaningful dialogue about healthy relationships and dating violence! In 2010, congress declared February to be National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. To take the next step beyond awareness, YWCA Spokane chooses to focus on how individuals can take action and what they can do to help stop the cycle of violence.

In alignment with love is respect’s 2022 theme “Talk About It,” we will host a series of activities to increase awareness and spark conversation. Throughout the month of February, our Instagram page (@ywcaspokane) will focus on advocacy and education to help prevent dating abuse.

Events & Important Dates

• Game Night! | February 2 | 6pm – 7:30pm
  • We invite youth ages 13-18 to play games and build community in celebration of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month via Zoom. Youth are encouraged to “Talk About It” at their own comfort level. There will be an opportunity to ask YWCA staff questions anonymously.
    
• Wear Orange Day | February 8 | All Day
  • Orange is the designated color of TDVAM and all community members are invited to share photos on social media wearing orange in support of raising awareness for teen dating violence. Tag @ywcaspokane and use the hashtag #tdvam!
• Instagram Live | February 15 | 6pm – 7pm
  • YWCA staff will be hosting an Instagram live to talk about teen dating violence, prevention, support, and answer questions from the audience. Space will be held for any questions from the Kickoff Event that were not answered. Find and follow @ywcaspokane on Instagram!
• Virtual Jeopardy | February 22 | 6pm – 7:30pm
  • YWCA staff are hosting a Jeopardy game via Zoom for youth. The topics of the game will be related to dating, relationships, and TDVAM.
    Register

TDVAM Facts

“Teens often think some behaviors, like teasing and name-calling, are a “normal” part of a relationship, but these behaviors can become abusive and develop into serious forms of violence. Many teens do not report unhealthy behaviors because they are afraid to tell family and friends,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Violent behavior typically begins between ages 12-18
• 1 in 3 adolescents are the victim of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse from a dating partner
• 1.5 million high school students, both male and female will experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year
• 1 in 10 high school students have been hit, slapped, or hurt physically by a dating partner
• Only 33% of teens that do experience abuse tell anyone about the violence

Read more statistics on the CDC factsheet on Preventing Teen Dating Violence.

love is respect

love is respect is the national resource to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources. A project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, love is respect offers 24/7 information, support, and advocates to young people who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships. love is respect is a safe, inclusive space for young people to access help and information in a setting specifically for them. Learn more at loveisrespect.org.

Talk About It is a call to action for young people and those who support them to engage in meaningful conversations about healthy relationships and navigate what may be unhealthy or even abusive. Read more about love is respect’s TDVAM campaign at loveisrespect.org/tdvam.

Action Guide | Calendar of events