Today is known as It’s Time to Talk Day, created to encourage people to start a conversation about abusive relationships. In honor of this day, we encourage you to speak out about teen dating abuse. Take the time, a few minutes even, to tell someone about the issue.
Dating violence affects many teens across the country. We know that one in three teens experiences some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships, including ,verbal and emotional abuse. We also know that abuse does not discriminate. It can affect anyone: Male. Female. Gay. Straight. White. Black. Rich. Poor. It happens in big cities and it happens in small rural towns. With this many teens affected, it’s likely you know someone who is a victim of abuse.
Start the conversation. If you’re not sure where to begin, read about The Basics of dating abuse and learn some facts about teen dating violence that you can share with others. No matter how big or small, any bit of discussion can begin to make a difference.
And if you’re feeling extra motivated, find out what other things you can do to Take Action!
If you're in immediate crisis, call 911 or the National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1.866.331.9474 or chat now: