28 Days, 28 Tips: Day 16

February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
In order to shine light on dating abuse, I’m posting 28 Tips for 28 Days. Stop by each day this month and discover stats that may shock you. Tips that can help you. Links that can save a life.
Knowledge and understanding are our best weapons in fighting what has become a silent epidemic among teens!

Day 16, Tip 16:

It’s not as if abuse isn’t happening. Because it is.

It’s not as if the research isn’t there. Because it is.

But too often those abused don’t tell and those close to them don’t know to ask, or even how to ask.  Here are just three facts:

•24 percent of 14 to17-year-olds know at least one student who has been the victim of dating violence, yet 81 perfect of parents either believe teen-dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it is.

•Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend had threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a breakup.

•Only 33 percent of teens who have been in or known about an abusive relationship said they have told anyone about it.

Is it any wonder dating abuse is often referred to as a silent epidemic?

That’s one of the reasons why I’m talking about it this month. Let’s keep the conversation going!