Did you know that 1 in 3 teens will experience some of the most serious forms of dating violence and abuse, including sexual or physical abuse, or threats from a dating partner? Despite this high number, research shows that many parents are still in the dark about this problem and more than half cannot recognize the warning signs of an abusive relationship. Parents are also talking to their children about dating abuse far less than other risky behaviors like drugs and alcohol.
The time for parents to begin these critical conversations about healthy relationships with their pre-teens and teens is long overdue.
It’s time to talk.
And on December 8th, Liz Claiborne Inc. is encouraging parents everywhere to join in a national conversation about teen dating abuse, as part of their 8th Annual It’s Time To Talk Day. Starting conversations about dating abuse on It’s Time To Talk Day with our families, friends and coworkers, is an easy step we can all take toward preventing violence. By talking to children about healthy relationships, parents can prevent their children from entering into unhealthy and potentially abusive relationships.
This issue affects us all, and the odds are favorable that even if you have never personally encountered dating abuse, someone you know – a sister, a teen, a friend, a colleague or neighbor – has.
There are many resources available to help get these conversations started, like the free Liz Claiborne Inc., Love Is Not Abuse iPhone App that brings the warning signs of digital dating abuse to life for parents with a realistic simulator. The Love Is Not Abuse website also has free handbooks and tips crafted by adolescent development and abuse prevention specialists, for how you can start talking to teens and adults about dating violence and healthy relationships. Here is my post from the launch of the App.
This year on December 8th, start talking about healthy relationships and dating abuse with the people in your life (and on Twitter with #ITTTD) and help bring an end to dating violence.
For further reference, see my interviews last year, click here.
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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post.
melissa says
such a wonderful cause thank you for bringing it to our attention
Christina Gould says
I’m glad Liz Claiborne has taken up this cause. Thanks for the info!
Laurie Culbreth says
I work for a family violence agency, and teen dating violence is more prevalent than most people know. It sets a precedent in the victims minds that it is ok, and so abused teens become abused adults, who have kids that are abused, and so on… It really could be caught early! It is our responsibility as parents to KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON in your teen’s life. Thanks, ‘dad for helping the cause!
Jenn says
I have a 24 year old daughter that has been through this. It’s nice to see a big company get involved with such an important issue. It’s just not talked about enough!
Mary Dailey says
It’s time to start letting young people know that it’s not okay for them to get slapped around or beaten.