Let's take action! Dating violence continues to impact vulnerable individuals, particularly teens. Please join the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) in our efforts to address the serious issue of dating violence and the behaviors often associated with it during the week of February 4-8, 2008, designated as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week."

Dating violence can happen to anyone. However, young victims face different obstacles than older, adult victims do. According to recent studies, 20 percent of teenage girls and young women have experienced some form of dating violence. Dating violence can include physical, emotional, verbal, psychological or sexual abuse. Teen dating violence often increases the risks of substance abuse, sexual activity, pregnancy and suicide, especially for female victims. It is important to educate teens and those who can influence them to distinguish violent dating behaviors from healthy behaviors.

"Relationships shape our personal worlds with unforgettable experiences. Violence in any relationship, including teen dating, should never be tolerated. Awareness about dating violence behaviors can help teens and other young adults avoid or end harmful relationships. During the month of February please join the Office on Violence Against Women to raise awareness by sharing resources, joining discussions and becoming informed about the impact of teen dating violence."

OVW actively supports outreach to teens, families, schools and communities to address the gravity of teen dating violence and promote the development of healthy relationships. The National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women convened a subcommittee on teen dating violence which provided guidance to OVW on this particular issue. The National Advisory Committee concluded that "teen dating violence is a major public health and safety concern in America" and more collaboration is necessary to strengthen our response to teen dating violence. In 2008, OVW plans to launch a national outreach campaign targeted towards youth. Through these and many other efforts OVW is providing much needed support to address the seriousness of teen dating violence. Please join us in February, and throughout the coming year, to encourage teens and youth to engage in healthy dating behaviors. Thank you for doing your part to help us raise awareness.

On February 27, 2008, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will sponsor an OVC Web Forum Guest Host Session on best practices for responding to teen victims of dating violence. Join Mitru Ciarlante, Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime's Teen Victim Initiative, and Barri Rosenbluth, Director of SafePlace's Expect Respect Program, at 2 p.m. ET for the live discussion.

• www.enditnow.gov
• National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline/Love Is Respect
• Choose Respect Campaign
• Expect Respect
• www.endabuse.org
• OVW's National Advisory Committee
• Senate Resolution on National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week

VAWA 2000 added "dating violence" to the purpose areas of four OVW grant programs, which permitted OVW to fund projects that assist victims of abuse who may not be married to their abuser, share a child with their abuser or otherwise meet the traditional definition of "intimate partner" abuse.

Combating teen dating violence continues to be a priority for OVW, and was emphasized when President Bush signed the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 ( VAWA 2005) through new grant programs and amendments to existing criminal provisions.

Dating violence is defined in VAWA 2000 and subsequent reauthorization in 2005 as violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

• The length of the relationship
• The type of relationship
• The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

OVW supported the launch of the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (NTDAH) to promote awareness of healthy dating relationships by making vital resources accessible to help teens experiencing dating violence and offering tips on preventing abusive relationships. To raise the profile of teen dating violence, Acting Director Mary Beth Buchanan attended the launch of the helpline in February 2006 and was the first caller to the helpline.

Listen to the Audio of the First Call to the Helpline

For More Information About the Helpline please visit http://www.loveisrespect.org.

Twenty percent of teenage girls and young women have experienced some form of dating violence. Female victims of teen dating violence are also at greater risk for many other issues, such as substance abuse, sexual activity, pregnancy, and suicide. The seriousness of dating violence among teens will be observed this year during the week of February 5-9 for the second National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.

Teen dating violence includes physical abuse as well as sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse.  The potential for violent behavior in an abusive relationship often escalates as the relationship becomes more serious.  Victims may remain in abusive relationships for many reasons, including fear of the perpetrator, self-blame, loyalty, love for the perpetrator, social stigma, or lack of understanding.  Teen dating violence crosses all gender, racial and socioeconomic lines. Although the dynamics are similar to those for adult domestic violence, teens generally have less experience with relationships, so may be less likely to recognize abuse.  Some of the signs of abuse, such as jealousy or possessiveness, may be confused as signs of love.

The keys to preventing dating violence are education and early detection.  Many schools are instituting programs to prevent and address dating violence, and there are multiple campaigns and resources available from across the country.  One resource, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was launched in 2006 called the “Choose Respect” campaign.  It is an initiative to help adolescents form healthy relationships and prevent dating abuse.  It includes a variety of materials such as posters, online games, television and radio spots, activity ideas, and quizzes that inspire youth to choose respect. The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has begun to collaborate with the CDC on this important initiative, and believes that choosing respect can be the beginning of a long road to healthy relationships that will translate into adulthood.

Combating teen dating violence is a priority for OVW, and was emphasized when President Bush signed the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 through new grant programs and amendments to existing criminal provisions. In 2006, OVW convened roundtable discussions in partnership with the Department of Education and the Office of Justice Programs to discuss efforts to address teen dating violence.

Through these, and many future efforts, we can educate teens and others about the seriousness of teen dating violence in the hopes that early detection will be able to prevent these crimes from occurring. During this National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, and throughout the entire year, it is crucial to raise awareness about such an important issue that greatly touches the lives of so many teens.

Choose Respect Initiative

End It Now