February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. It’s the time, more than ever, to use our voices to show our support and make a difference. So tell us, what’s your message?*

What People Are Saying

“I was lucky and knew the early signs of domestic abuse and I got out quickly. It wasn’t easy, but I feel so much better about myself now. I’m trying to warn my friends about the signs of abuse, and I want to spread the word around my entire school. Love doesn’t mean fear.” – New Jersey, 17

“i wasn’t aware of how bad they could get, until last december right before school let out for our winter break. I now know that it could happen to anyone. we are not alone. We can all break the cycle. right after he abused me, I ended it, i told him that i would not stand there and take his abuse. I thank the lord who gave me courage to end it. STAND UP, BE HEARD!” – Tennessee, 15

“At first, I didn’t think much of his behavior. He would say it just showed how much he loved me. Though, after a while it got worse and I knew if i didn’t leave, it was possible I’d get hurt badly. It took a lot of effort, but I ended the relationship. I’m proud of myself for standing up for myself. Since then, I’ve made sure that everyone I know and care about is aware of the signs and more. There is help always available; no one deserves to be abused.” – Texas, 17

“My Children are grown up now but i am sure that things havent changed much kind of like a pattern in life with teens. I am a mother who raised her 2 children by herself and witnessed my daughter being abused by her boyfriend. My daughter was about 15 boyfriend i dont know his age but pretty close to my daughters. This boy wanted my daughter to sit in the middle of the street right where cars would not see her till they hit her. Several times i witness this and no matter what i did ( picking her up when i seen her sitting there)or talked with her nothing seemed to help. I now want this law changed. its bad enough that it took so long for the government to change the domestic violence act for adults, i think our children need action now and as a right as a parent i demand that my children and ever other parents children be protected better or if not the same as domestic violence. This is a very serious issue and i dont know why its taken the government so long to protect our ch ildren Thank you.” – New York, 50

“I was in an abusive relationship that lasted for almost two years. It started out perfect. He was the perfect guy and I thought we were in love. Well, five months of dating and things started going down hill. We were always fighting. But we always made up. ONe night, the fight got so bad that he punched me and gave me a black eye. I told everyone I got into a fight. The abuse started to get worse and worse. I was in the hospital a few times. Everytime I tried to get out of that relationship he would hit me over and over again. The next day he’d apologize and say how much he loved me and I bought it. Finally, After my third time of being in the hospital, me and my closest friend told him it’s over. That was the last time I saw him. We all need to be sure to get out of these kind of relaionships as fast as we can. Don’t let your boyfriend/girlfriend keep hurting you. Emotionally nor physically.” – Oklahoma, 15

*Comments and opinions displayed on this post do not necessarily reflect those of Break the Cycle.