28 Days, 28 Tips: Day 20

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 20, Tip 20:

Jealousy is a sign of love.

Obsession is a sign of commitment.

Too many of us grow up believing that these statements are true. And that can leave us open to relationship abuse from partners who control and manipulate, all in the name of love.

If you loved me, you would____

If you trusted me, you would ______

I love you, why won’t you do this for me_____

That’s Not Love!

Warning Signs of Dating Abuse

Your partner—

• Is jealous and possessive
• Is controlling and demanding
• Uses guilt to get his/her way
• Blames you for what is wrong
• Insults you or calls you names
• Outbursts of anger
• Constantly calls, texts or checks up on you. Demands to know where you are and who you’ve been with
• Checks your email or phone without permission
• Isolates you from family and friends
• Threatens violence to you or himself

Help is available: www.loveisrespect.org

• Books can make it easier to broach the topic. There are a lot of stories about relationship abuse that can get your teen thinking…questioning. Die for You is just one. I hope it can make a difference in the life of someone you love. 

“This taut thriller unrolls hidden messages of abusive relationships with a sharp edge and well-drawn gray areas, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.” — Booklist