🧡 February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month 🧡

Every February, communities across the country recognize Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). It’s a time to pause and talk honestly about what healthy relationships look like — and what they don’t.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline and loveisrespect provide confidential resources specifically for teens navigating unhealthy relationships.

You’ll see people wearing orange this month. 🧡 Orange represents youth and hope — and the belief that our young people deserve relationships built on respect, not control.

Teen dating violence is more common than many people realize.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 12 high school students reports experiencing physical dating violence, and 1 in 12 reports sexual dating violence in the past year. Those numbers don’t even fully capture emotional abuse, manipulation, and digital control — which are often harder to recognize but just as harmful.

In smaller, rural communities like ours, teens can face additional challenges: limited privacy, fewer resources, transportation barriers, and the fear that “everyone will find out.” That makes prevention and open conversation even more important.

What Does Teen Dating Violence Look Like?

It isn’t always dramatic or obvious.

It can look like:

• Constant jealousy framed as “I just love you so much.”

• Demanding passwords or location access.

• Isolating someone from friends.

• Pressuring for sexual activity.

• Monitoring texts and social media.

• Humiliating someone in private or in front of others.

Abuse often starts small. It can feel confusing. Teens may not label it as abuse — especially if they’ve never been shown what healthy boundaries look like.

What Healthy Relationships Should Feel Like

Healthy relationships include:

• Mutual respect

• Emotional and physical safety

• Trust without surveillance

• Space for friendships and independence

• The ability to say “no” without fear

Love should never require shrinking yourself, hiding things, or walking on eggshells.

Digital Red Flags Matter

For today’s teens, relationships often unfold online.

The loveisrespect and the National Domestic Violence Hotline both highlight that digital control — excessive texting, tracking, threats to share images — is one of the most common forms of teen relationship abuse.

Technology can connect people. It should not be used to intimidate or control them.

What Adults Can Do

We don’t have to have all the answers. We just have to be willing to listen.

• Ask open-ended questions.

• Stay calm if a teen shares something concerning.

• Avoid blaming or shaming.

• Remind them they deserve respect.

• Help them identify trusted adults.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply say, “That doesn’t sound okay. You deserve better.”

At the Warren County Children’s Advocacy Center, we coordinate child abuse investigations and support children and families through incredibly difficult situations. But prevention work matters just as much. We offer community education and professional training because the earlier we recognize unhealthy patterns, the earlier we can intervene.

🐾 Tiger’s Paw-tection Pointer

One of the things I often remind families — and something Tiger models beautifully in his own quiet way — is this: Healthy connection feels calm.

When Tiger sits next to a child, he doesn’t demand attention. He doesn’t crowd them. He doesn’t monitor every move. He simply stays present. Steady. Safe. Respectful of space.

That’s what healthy relationships should feel like, too.

If a teen seems constantly anxious, monitored, or afraid of upsetting their partner, that’s not intensity — that’s a warning sign.

This month, wear orange. Start a conversation. And remind the young people in your life that love should feel steady, not stressful.

If you’re concerned about a child or teen, or if your organization would like prevention education for your staff or youth, reach out to us. It truly takes a village — especially when it comes to protecting our teens.