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February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month!

February 2012 marks the third anniversary of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month! For years, young people across the nation have organized to put a stop to dating abuse. With their adult allies, they achieved a major victory in 2005 when the importance of addressing teen dating abuse was highlighted in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Then in 2010, Congress began dedicating the entire month of February to teen dating violence awareness and prevention. – Adapted from loveisrespect.org.

Teen dating violence is becoming all too common. Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year. One in three adolescent girls in the US is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of any other form of youth violence. Currently females ages 16-24 are experiencing the highest rate of dating violence and are least likely to access resources, to tell someone about the abuse, or to even realize that what is happening is abusive and unhealthy behavior. – Adapted from teendvmonth.org.

This year Catalyst has asked all of the Butte County cities, towns, and school boards to declare February 2012 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Catalyst will have educational displays at participating local high schools, businesses, and youth agencies. Catalyst also offers a free high school prevention program to classrooms in Butte County which educates teens about the cycle of violence, warning signs of abusive relationships and provides real tools for healthy arguments and communication. Click here to see a flyer about this prevention program.

Are you a good partner? Take this quiz now!

To learn more about Teen Dating Violence and healthy relationships please see
About Teen Dating Violence.

Resources for teens, educators and parents can also be found at:
loveisrespect.org ♥ loveisnotabuse.org ♥ thatsnotcool.com ♥ breakthecycle.org

For more information about TDVAM activities and displays please contact Emily Martin at (530) 343-7711.