Dating Violence Awareness Month

I can't believe it is already February. It feels as if the year just began.

I have to say, February is one of my favorite months (and not just because I own a florist...LOL). When I hear February, the romantic in me thinks of Valentine's Day, romance, chocolates, roses, candle lit dinners, and love. However, February is not just a month dedicated to romance and love, it is also a month dedicated to the awareness of something that until recently has not been given a lot of recognition...Dating Violence.

I can personally remember the first time I saw anything about dating violence in the media. It was Valentine's Day Week and the day after the 2009 Grammy Awards. Does anyone know what I'm referring to? The most publicized dating violence case of the decade, which involved pop stars Rhianna and Chris Brown. Shortly after the allegations that Chris Brown had beaten Rhianna after a pre-Grammy party, photos were released of the young pop star with bruised eyes, cuts all over her face, and swollen lips. Anyone who has been in an abusive relationship themselves would want to cringe when looking at these photos. The thought that "this was me, this is what I could have looked like had I not ended the relationship, and this could have been so much worse" crossed my mind when looking at these photos.

 
Looking at this photo today, I can only imagine what was going through the mind of this pop star turned Cover Girl model as the man she loved did this to her. At the time of this incident, Rhianna was 20 and Chris was 19. Abuse does not happen to only those who are married, living together, old, poor, or whatever other kind of people you may be thinking this happens to. Abuse occurs regardless of your relationships, age, social status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and so on. Abuse does not discriminate against anyone!!!

Here are some Dating Violence statistics I found that will help you avoid or recognize a violent dating relationship:

• 1 in 4 adolescents report verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse every year.

• 1 in 5 adolescents report being in emotionally abused.

• 1 in 5 high school aged girls have been physically or sexually abused by someone they were dating.

• 54% of high school students report dating violence among their peers.

• 1 in 3 teens report having a friend who has been abused by a dating partner.

• 80% of teens believe verbal abuse among their age is a problem.

• Nearly 80% of girls who have been abused by their partner continue the relationship.

• 20% of teenage girls have been involved in a relationship in which a dating partner has threatened violence to her or himself in the event of a break-up.

• 70% of young women who have been raped knew their rapists....a boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, friend, or acquaintance.

• The majority of teen dating abuse occurs in the home of one of the partners.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of dating violence, please seek help before it is too late. The violence will only get worse the longer you stay in the relationship. Turn to a local shelter, counselor, law enforcement authorities, teacher, or other adult you trust and ask for help.

For more information on Dating Violence, visit www.acadv.org/dating.html.

If you are in need of help or have a friend in need of help call the domestic violence hotline at  1-800-650-6522.