National Teen Dating Violence
Awareness and Prevention Week
February 4-8, 2008
Senate Resolution 388, passed unanimously by the US Senate. This resolution was sponsored by Sen. Michael Crapo of Idaho. Co-sponsors included Senators Reed and Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Sen. Clinton, Sen. Bayh, Sen. Biden, Sen. Lieberman, and Sen. Murkowski.
The Lindsay Ann Burke Memorial Fund would like to encourage all high schools to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in teen dating violence awareness and prevention activities at school and in your communities this week and/or the month of February.
For ideas, activities, check out the following websites:
1. www.abanet.org/publiced/teendating.shtml This is the website for the National Teen Dating Violence Prevention Initiative. Under “Resources” you will find, posters, warning signs, prevention, and recommendations. Also, you will find “Dating and Violence Should Never Be A Couple” DVD, a Teacher’s Guide, and Toolkit Instructions.
2. www.chooserespect.org This site helps teens form healthy relationships. It has multimedia materials for an awareness campaign at school, plus a community action toolkit.
3. www.loveisrespect.org Teens can find support and info. Also, teens can watch a video and sign the Teen Dating Bill of Rights (get your whole school to sign!!). The Resource Center has awareness materials, PSA’s, etc.
4. www.seeitandstopit.org Get organized!! This site has project ideas and multimedia tools for an awareness campaign at school.
5. www.loveisnotabuse.com Info for teens, parents, stats, brochures
6. www.deanaseducationaltheatre.org bring a performance of “The Yellow Dress” to your school
Teen Dating Violence
Dating violence, like domestic violence, is a pattern of controlling, and abusive behaviors of one person over another within a romantic relationship. It can include verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, and financial abuse. It can occur in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. It knows no boundaries and crosses all lines of race, socio-economic status, etc.
It CAN happen to ANYONE.