Awareness brought to teen dating violence in February

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, couples are a focus. But young people are being warned relationships aren't always flowers and heart-shaped candy boxes. 

February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, calling attention to physical, sexual and emotional abuse within youth relationships.

Digital abuse is also a common form of teen dating violence.

According to a Centers for Disease Control study from 2021, one in 12 teenagers in relationships reported experiencing physical dating violence. One in 10 said they were victims of sexual dating violence.

Zach Ellis, the youth program manager at the YWCA in St. Joseph, said it's important to help teens as they navigate difficult situations like this.

"It is a very real thing, and I think that kind of like a lot of things that have to do with teenagers, we like to chalk a lot of things up to puberty and, and a lot of emotions and things," Ellis said. "But, in reality, it's just that they need to be taught how to handle those emotions and how to handle red flag situations."

Ellis says that although it may be a difficult conversation, it is important to talk to teens about dating violence. 

"It's a less than ideal topic to discuss with your children, but in reality, statistics show that it is happening, and it's happening here in St. Joe even," Ellis said. "So it is something that needs to be discussed at home."

The goal of the awareness campaign is to support survivors and prevent dating violence before it happens.

The theme for 2025 is "Respect That!" which was chosen by the Love is Respect Youth Council. 

Love is Respect is an organization dedicated to assisting survivors. Love is Respect can be contacted at 866-331-9474 or by texting "LOVEIS" to 22522. The group also has a website at loveisrespect.org.

Those in a domestic violence situation and in need of immediate help should call 911.