Dating Violence Awareness
Dear Editor: February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Each year, the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee utilizes this national month of recognition to raise awareness about teen dating abuse and provide advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts.
Nationally, 1.5 million high schoolers report having experienced either abusive or controlling behaviors in a dating relationship in a single year, and before they become adults, one in three teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a romantic relationship with. Addressing teen dating violence is especially important here in Alaska, where half of adult women experience intimate partner violence, sexual violence, or both in their lifetime (Alaska Victimization Survey).
Relationships exist on a spectrum and it can be hard to tell when a behavior goes from healthy to unhealthy or even abusive. Abuse is never the victim’s fault, and adults can play an important role in recognizing unhealthy patterns in the relationships of young people in their lives. Some warning signs include: checking a partner’s phone or social media without their permission, putting a partner down frequently, isolating them from friends or family, showing extreme jealousy, explosive outbursts, any form of physical harm, and controlling behavior.
While no two relationships look the same, there are a few key things that must be present in all relationships for them to be healthy: respect, equality, honesty, trust, communication, boundaries, and consent. In a healthy relationship, partners have the right to be themselves and have the freedom to be independent. They also have the responsibility to respect their partner’s privacy, independence, and interests. Ultimately, in a healthy relationship, there is mutual respect and decision-making. Everyone is worthy of these things in a relationship.
SYLC is dedicated to educating our peers about the red flags or warning signs of unhealthy relationships, their rights and responsibilities in every relationship, and communicating if you notice a red flag in your relationship or a friend’s relationship. SYLC does this by promoting our Healthy Me, Healthy We campaign and offering peer education about healthy and unhealthy relationships in school and after-school settings. Both of these projects help to create dialogue with peers and deepen understanding of healthy relationships. By understanding the essential elements of healthy relationships and learning the early warning signs of harmful and abusive behaviors, we can change things for ourselves and those we care about.
SYLC is also committed to teaching adults to have a role in promoting healthy relationships amongst teens and to be a resource and an ally to youth, which includes having open and non- judgemental conversations with them about relationships and being a source of education.
If you think a friend or family member might be in an unhealthy or abusive relationship, know that the best way you can show your support is by listening to them, acknowledging their feelings, and respecting their decisions.
Additionally, it’s important to know the resources available to you. Some great resources to start with are: loveisrespect.org and Sitkans Against Family Violence (call 747-3370, text 623-7820, or visit safv.org). Remember, everyone has the right to feel safe and loved in their relationship.
Kenzie Hemminger
Executive Board Member
Sitka Youth Leadership Committee
