Dating Violence: Is Your Teen Getting the Message?

I was fourteen when I met a boy who I thought was of no consequence. I figured I would date him for a month tops and then it would be over. He was so persistent. Five years later I found myself sitting in a my university’s counseling center sobbing uncontrollably over the monster that that relationship became. The one that tried to swallow me whole like it was some mutated Cracken from the sea. I got through it and came out stronger, vowing to tell my story and educate others from my experience.

Now Macy’s leading the way with its support for the RESPECT! Campaign, which offers the tools parents need to define and promote healthy relationships, and intervene effectively if abuse begins. FVPF (Family Violence Prevention Fund) states-

“Teens across the United States are experiencing high levels of abuse in
their dating relationships, and not confiding in parents when abuse occurs. The
new poll, conducted for the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), finds that
nearly one in three teens report threats of violence, or sexual or physical
abuse. Nearly one in four report being victimized through technology, and nearly
one in two who are in relationships report being controlled, threatened, and
pressured to do things they did not want to do.

Yet, despite the fact that parents say they are talking to their children
about abuse, two in three daughters surveyed (66 percent) say they have not had
a conversation with their parents about dating abuse in the last year. Four in
five parents surveyed (82 percent) feel confident that they could recognize the
signs if their child was experiencing dating abuse, but more than half (58
percent) could not correctly identify all the warning signs of abuse. The
new survey also found that there appears to be a link between the economic
downturn and high levels of teen dating abuse.”

The RESPECT! Campaign gives parents tools to define abuse and educate their children about healthy relationships. It also offers resources on how to effectively deal and intervene in an abusive situation.

Here are 10 Quick Tips on how to talk to your kids about healthy relationships. You can also purchase a $5 RESPECT bracelet from Macy’s stores as well as going to the RESPECT! website and sending out ecards to your nearest and dearest. Each time you send a card the GBGB (Geoffery Beene Gives Back) will make a donation to our charity in your recipients’ name.

Help me get the word out!