Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Isn't it appropros that Valentine's Day and Teen Dating Violence Awareness fall on the same month? As I was writing this post, I decided to do a little background research on some stats and went (where else?) to Google to find some resources. Wow...what a lack of resources on this topic!! I don't know how long teen violence awareness month has been around, but hopefully, with the passing of time, the resources online with get larger and larger.
I was able to find some information about teen dating violence from our counselors at school. Did you know....
*As many as one in three teens will experience dating abuse? That means in the average classromom, as many as ten students could be hurt by their boyfriend or girlfriend - physically or emotionally.

*In the state of Texas, 3 out of 4 individuals between the ages of 16 and 24 have been affected by relationship violence, either personally or about someone they knew? That means that in the average classroom 75% of students are experiencing abuse or know someone who is.

Here's a list of some good online resources:

http://stanford.wellsphere.com/wellmix360/teens-and-violence
http://www.ncfy.com/fvp/dating_violence_prevention_month.htm

For more, here's a list of YA books that deals with teen dating violence:

Bad Boy Can be Good for a Girl by Tonya Lee Stone

Things change by Patrick Jones

Guyaholic by Carolyn Mackler

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Twisted

Honey baby sweetheart by Deb Calletti

Playing with Matches by Brian Katcher

Played by Dana Davidson

Wild Roses by Deb Calletti

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

Breaking up is Hard to Do short story collection edited by Nikki Burnham

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

Touch by Francine Prose

Story of Girl by Sara Zarr

Who am I Without Him? short story collection by Sharon Flake

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Stay by Deb Caletti



Make a display!! Work with counselors on this!! Let teachers know!! This affects all high school, either public or private, and who knows....you may be able to help a person break those chains through your involvement.