January 31, 2025

Recognizing Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month

White Text on orange background reading "Teen Dating Violence Prevention & Awareness Month" with NYSCADV logo and an image of a green and orange converse shoes with laces connected to form a heart.

This February marks the 15th anniversary of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM), a nationwide effort to spotlight an issue that affects one in three teens in the United States. TDVAM is more than just a time of reflection—it's a call to action for individuals, schools, and communities to come together to support prevention efforts and empower young people to build healthy relationships.

Teen dating violence is a serious issue that impacts adolescents' physical, emotional, and mental well-being. TDVAM focuses on primary prevention, aiming to stop dating violence before it starts by fostering safe, respectful, and nurturing relationships.

Why TDVAM Matters

TDVAM isn’t just about recognizing the problem—it’s about taking action to prevent it. This national initiative emphasizes:

  • Education: Raising awareness about teen dating violence and how to recognize its warning signs.
  • Advocacy: Promoting open conversations about what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like.
  • Empowerment: Equipping teens and adults alike with the tools and knowledge to foster respectful, consent-driven relationships.

When communities, schools, and organizations collaborate during TDVAM, they create spaces where teens feel safe to share their experiences, seek help, and learn. These conversations aren’t just reactive—they’re proactive steps toward building a culture that rejects dating violence and celebrates respect, communication, and equality.

How You Can Make a Difference

TDVAM is an opportunity for all of us to take a stand and be part of the solution. Here’s how you can contribute this February:

  • Spread Awareness: Use social media, school announcements, or community events to share facts about teen dating violence.
  • Start Conversations: Talk to the teens in your life about the importance of healthy relationships and mutual respect.
  • Engage with Your Community: Host workshops, discussions, or activities that teach relationship skills and promote consent.
  • Support Survivors: Share resources and provide a safe space for teens to open up if they’re experiencing abuse.

By instilling values like respect, communication, and empathy, we can create a society where every teenager feels empowered to build positive, healthy relationships.

 

As we commemorate Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, let’s make a commitment to educate, advocate, and act. Together, we can create a future where dating violence is no longer part of the teen experience—a future where every teen knows their worth and feels supported in cultivating healthy relationships.

Let’s unite this February and beyond to ensure that our youth thrive in relationships built on trust, kindness, and equality.

Upcoming TDVAM Events:

Instagram Live on @loveisrespectofficial (2/, 5 PM ET): AI and Deepfakes: Impact on Teens and Young Adults Relationships.

Respect Week (2/10 – 2/14): Join the nationwide Respect Week to actively engage in discussions and activities emphasizing respect's significance in relationships. This initiative encourages everyone to foster an environment where mutual respect is a cornerstone of all interactions.

Wear Orange Day (2/11): An annual tradition during TDVAM, Wear Orange Day aims to raise awareness about dating violence. By sharing pictures on social media platforms with the hashtag #HealthyRelationships, participants contribute to spreading the message that everyone deserves a healthy and violence-free relationship.

Resources:

Know Your Worth Campaign: The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV) has introduced the "Know Your Worth" companion campaign to support DV programs across New York State. This initiative includes a toolkit with graphics and text that can be utilized througho ut the month to enhance awareness and understanding.

Love is Respect is a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Which annually develops a social media guide, action guide, and materials to participate in Love is Respect Week.

This year Love is Respect’s theme is Respect That, a powerful concept that can transform relationships. Respecting someone isn’t just a vague idea; it’s action and a mindset. We want to highlight the importance of treating partners with dignity, listening to their viewpoints, respecting their boundaries, and valuing their autonomy by focusing on ‘respect’. Check out the resources they are sharing associated with this theme and consider how you can use them in your own communities.