Teen Dating Violence Awareness: Resources and Events
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and at YWCA Evanston/North Shore, we maintain that it’s important to understand the impact of teen dating violence in our society. Teenage years are a time of exploration, expansion and self-expression. Much of that growth is often found in interpersonal relationships with others, platonic and romantic. It’s important for both parents, professionals and the youth to know the information behind teen dating violence, important prevention resources and local events that can help bring the community to hear the voices of teens themselves!
With this in mind, please consider joining us for the following programming we’ll be hosting this month and next to honor teens’ experiences and inform the community at large:
Prevention through Education: A Discussion on Teen Dating Violence
February, 12, 5:00P at YWCA Evanston/North Shore
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Benefit Concert
March 3, 6:00P at SPACE Evanston
Data from the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2021 indicated that 1 in 12 teens experienced physical dating violence, whereas 1 in 10 experienced sexual dating violence. This type of violence can cause youth to be more susceptible to depression, anxiety, unhealthy behaviors and more. Despite the wide reach of teen dating violence, the CDC also backs that prevention is key and possible in reduction practices.
Healthy relationships are built on things like open communication, trust, respect, and feeling safe with one another, and those are skills that people learn over time, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. That’s why it’s important to start talking with kids and teens early, in ways that make sense for their age, about what healthy relationships look like and what consent really means. YWCA Evanston/North Shore offers many services and opportunities not just for caregivers and youth, but the community at large to understand how to approach these topics empowered with information.
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month gives us all a chance to keep these conversations going and highlight how understanding consent and respect can play a big role in preventing sexual violence and relationship violence. Since young people learn a lot by watching the adults and peers around them, modeling healthy behavior matters just as much as talking about it, both in person and online.
Advocates, parents, caregivers, and other trusted adults can help by showing what everyday consent looks like, having open conversations about boundaries, and reinforcing positive relationship habits. Advocates can also lead by example in their own work by listening to young people, respecting their choices, and honoring their wishes, which helps build trust and shows what a healthy, respectful relationship should feel like in real life.