Photo: Interval House
As part of its ongoing commitment to prevention education, Interval House is partnering with Covenant Preparatory School and Grace Academy during February’s National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
Students in 7th and 8th grades will participate in several virtual activities, including online presentations by Interval House’s community educator, crafting a social media awareness campaign as well as curriculum projects created by teachers and fellow students. Educators from the two schools will be panelists during a special “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” Teen Dating Violence Awareness webinar, hosted by Interval House and members of Men Make a Difference, Men Against Domestic Violence (MMAD) at noon on Friday, Feb. 12.
Love Shouldn't Hurt
Friday, February 12 @ Noon
This free webinar will address the warning signs of teen dating violence and what we as parents, educators, and adults in the community can do to promote healthy relationships for our youth. Panelists include:
- Mary-Jane Foster, President & CEO, Interval House
- State Representative Dr. William Petit Jr.
- Armando Jimenez, Head of School, Covenant Preparatory School
- Bethany Grupp, AmeriCorps Fellow at Grace Academy
Moderated by Interval House's Director of Development Amanda Delaura, this discussion will culminate with an original spoken word performance by Interval House Board Member and Poet Damion Morgan.
Register Now to participate!
Some statistics on why teen dating violence is an issue and why we raise awareness:
- Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner every year;
- One in 10 high school students report being purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend;
- One in three girls in the U.S. are victims of physical, emotional and verbal abuse from a dating partner; and
- In Connecticut alone, more than 8% of high school teens report being physically abused by a dating partner.
Why we believe prevention & education matters:
- More than 70% of male abusers witnessed domestic violence in their homes as boys and teenagers;
- 80% of parents believe dating abuse isn’t a problem for their teenagers; and
- 60% of parents admit they don’t know the warning signs of abuse.
Parents and friends of teens can watch for some of these warning signs:
- Your teen is being isolated or made to feel bad about seeing family, friends, or doing outside activities without his/her partner;
- Your teen’s partner attempts to control what your teen wears, who they see, and what music they listen to;
- Your teen’s partner expects your teen to “check in” or answer their phone immediately, excessively text, or use phone GPS tracking to keep track (stalk) them;
- Your teen is blamed by their partner, making them feel they are the cause of the abuse;
- Your teen’s partner acts overly sensitive or hurt when they do not get their way;
- Your teen’s partner verbally assaults your teen (in public and in private) by insulting them or using put downs;
- Your teen’s partner tries to intimidate your teen by throwing things, punching walls, restraining movement, or preventing them from leaving the room
More information about teen dating violence: