More than 1 in 5 women (22.4%) and nearly 1 in 7 men (15.0%) who have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner first experienced some form of intimate partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age. In fact, most victims (69% of females, 53% of males) first experienced intimate partner violence before the age of 25 (CDC, 2011).
The consequences of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore – they hurt not just the young people victimized but also their families, friends, schools and communities. Throughout February, organizations and individuals nationwide come together to raise awareness of dating violence and promote healthy intimate relationships for youth. The NRCDV supports this national effort to bring visibility to youth experiences and foster positive change.
Highlighted events for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month 2015 from the NRCDV include:
- 2/3 @ 3pm ET: Lessons Learned from Love & Hip Hop. This BlogTalkRadio session will focus on the influence of pop culture and hip hop on youth dating relationships. Taking our cues from Love & HipHop, from NY to LA, long-time colleagues and advocates in the movement to end domestic violence, Nakia Hansen, Maurice Hendrix, and Kenya Fairley will discuss lessons learned about dating from some of VH-1’s most popular TV shows.
- 2/10 @ 7:30pm ET: #YouthLeaders Twitter Chat: We are lifting up the good work of youth leaders in our movement to end gender based violence! Follow #YouthLeaders to learn about the work of youth advocates at the community and state levels in Ohio and Idaho, to share your own contributions and youth initiatives, and to gain inspiration for moving forward together.
- 2/14: This Valentine’s Day the NRCDV will join more than one billion allies in a global movement to rise for justice and demand an end to violence against women in the One Billion Rising campaign.
Access resources to support your #TDVAM2015 efforts through the National Resource Center for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, the National Domestic Violence Awareness Project, and our VAWnet Special Collection: Preventing and Responding to Teen Dating Violence.
Read more: For the full issue, click here.
