Teen Dating Bill of Rights

from DOSOMETHING.org
  • To always be treated with respect.
    In a respectful relationship, you should be treated as an equal.
  • To be in a healthy relationship.A healthy relationship is not controlling, manipulative, or jealous.A healthy relationship involves honesty, trust, and communication.
  • To not be hurt physically or emotionally.
    You should feel safe in your relationship at all times. Abuse is never deserved and is never your fault.
    Conflicts should be resolved in a peaceful and rational way.
  • To refuse sex or affection at anytime.
    A healthy relationship involves making consensual sexual decisions. You have the right to not have sex.
    Even if you have had sex before, you have the right to refuse sex for any reason.
  • To have friends and activities apart from my boyfriend or girlfriend.
    Spending time by yourself, with male or female friends, or with family is normal and healthy.
  • To end a relationship.
    You should not be harassed, threatened, or made to feel guilty for ending an unhealthy or healthy relationship. You have the right to end a relationship for any reason you choose.


Our Mission:

To restore dignity, trust, and hope to individuals and families traumatized by child sexual abuse through accessible and effective therapy, advocacy, and education.

February is National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month

Teen Dating Violence is a growing problem in our country to date, that can include a physical, verbal,psychological, sexual, oremotional violence, intimidation, control, or harassment between peers. Teen dating violence can include things like a one teen telling his or her partner what they can or cannot wear, who they can talk to or spend time with and can escalate to physical violence, sexual coercion or force, stalking, and--in some cases--even homocide.

  • 1/3 of all adolescents have experienced physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner.
  • Girls and boys are almost equally likely to be the abuser or the abused in dating violence.
  • 45% of all girls report that they know a peer who has been pressured into having sex
  • 1 in 5 teen girls has electronically sent or posted a nude or semi-nude picture or video of themselves, more than 1/2 of them say that pressure from a boy was what influenced them to send these pictures.

    Sources: Family Violence Prevention Fund Fact Sheet and Gary Byrd (2010) "Teen Dating Violence" presented at the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Symposium, Peachtree City, GA

Staying Safe

If your teen (or friend) ends a relationship with a violent dating partner, you're teen will need a safety plan that will specify how he or she will remain safe at all times, especially if it is likely that he or she will see the abuser again.

 

Break the Cycle, a leading national organization on teen domestic violence, has published a Teen Safety Planning Workbook with step-by-step directions. As you and/or your teen go through the workbook and answer each question, your teen will be able to think through the steps that will need to be taken to remain safe in the home, school, and community.

For more information, visit thesafespace.org

 

To speak specialist about teen dating violence:


Call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
24 hours a day at 1-866-331-9474 [1-866-331-8453 TTY] or

Love is Respect

Start a live chat at loveisrespect.org (between 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. CST)

How to Spot the Signs of An Abusive Relationship

 

Extreme jealousy

Constant put-downs

Possessiveness or controlling behavior

Regular, false accusations

Isolation from friends and family

A dating partner who is constantly checking up on a teen (for example, by texting).

Indications that your teen (or friend) seems fearful of the possibility of upsetting his or her dating partner

Witnessing the dating partner being aggressive or violent when angry--perhaps breaking things

If a teen starts giving up things that used to be important to him or her (like spending time with friends) to be exclusively with his or her dating partner

 

If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1!

 

 

 

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The Children's Center for Hope & Healing has three locations with the main office at 226 Main St SW, Gainesville, GA 30501.
Note mailing address: P.O. Box 907401, Gainesville, GA 30501.
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