In light of February being teen dating violence awareness month, the Community Counseling Center’s Child Advocacy Program will sponsor a forum that will discuss teen dating violence, bullying, stress and anger management, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships and self esteem.
Community teens aged 13-18 are encouraged to attend the forum at the Natchitoches Parish Library, which will be on the third floor starting Feb. 20 and every Tuesday until March 27 from 4-6 p.m. To reserve a spot, call the library at (318) 228-4714 or sign up at the NPL’s second floor.
For more information on the forum, contact the counseling center at (318) 214-4002 or email Program Direct Brittany Jewitt at Bjewitt001@gmail.com or Sonya Hall at Sonya.confident@gmail.com.
Statistics
1.5 million high schoolers in the U.S. admit to being hit or harmed in the last year by someone they’re romantically involved with.
Teens suffering from dating abuse are subject to alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide and violent behavior.
1 in 3 young people will become involved in an abusive or unhealthy relationship.
33 percent of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal or emotional dating abuse.
25 percent of high school girls in the U.S. have been abused physically or sexually.
Teen girls who are abused are 6 times more likely to become pregnant or contract an STD.
Females between the ages of 16 and 24 are roughly three times more likely to be abused by an intimate partner.
Eight states in the U.S. do not consider a violent dating relationship domestic abuse. Therefore, adolescents, teens and 20-somethings are unable to apply for a restraining order for protection from the abuser.
Violent behavior often begins between sixth and 12th grade.
72 percent of 13 and 14 year olds are “dating.” 50 percent of young people who experience rape or physical or sexual abuse will attempt to commit suicide.
1 out of three teens involved in an abusive relationship confided in someone about the violence.
Teens who have been abused hesitate to seek help because they do not want to expose themselves or are unaware of the laws surrounding domestic violence.
