Abusive relationships are not exclusive to adults. In fact, 1 in 3 teens experience physical, emotional, or sexual abuse by a dating partner. Furthermore, girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence nationwide, almost triple the national average. Dating abuse has long-term repercussions too, from higher risk of teen pregnancy and STDs to depression, eating disorders, and future domestic abuse.

The good news? Talking about healthy relationships and dating abuse can help break the cycle of violence and stop abuse before it begins. Each February, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month highlights these issues through a number of events and programs across the country.

The WCA offers community and school prevention and outreach programming. Contact the WCA Prevention Team for more information about teen dating violence awareness or visit loveisrespect.org for more ways to participate in TDVAM.

For Teens & Young Adults

In any relationship, you have a right to:

• Be treated as an equal
• Make decisions about your own body
• Choose your own friends
• Express your own thoughts and opinions
• Live without fear or intimidation
• Feel good about yourself
• Spend time by yourself
• Choose what to wear
• Say no
• Change your mind
• Spend time with your family
• Feel safe emotionally and physically
• Private use of your phone or computer
• Spend time doing things of interest to you
• Tell the truth and be told the truth
• End a relationship

If you’re concerned that your rights or the rights of someone you care about are not being respected, call the WCA Hotline 208.343.7025 or contact the National Dating Abuse Helpline (call 1.866.331.9474 or text “loveis” to 22522).