Empowering Youth: YWCA Delaware's Ongoing Commitment to Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
By Rachiel Brieger
After continued efforts from the American Bar Association, Congress marked February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) in 2010. At the heart of this groundbreaking movement were impassioned teenagers and parents motivated by personal experiences, having witnessed loved ones endure dating violence or experiencing it themselves. Ever since this monumental date, the month has served as a platform to raise awareness about the prevalence of mistreatment in teenage relationships and educate on effective preventative strategies.
In 2022, the US Department of Justice reported that up to 19% of teens face physical or sexual violence by their partners, and 65% face psychological abuse. Delaware’s Domestic Violence Coordinating Council states that 8.9% of Delaware high school students have experienced dating violence and 10.4% have experienced sexual dating violence.
This month is an important time for YWCA Delaware as we commit ourselves to shedding light on how teen dating violence affects thousands of young people in Delaware and spreading awareness about our Youth Development and Sexual Assault Response Center (SARC) programs and services.
Our Sexual Assault Response Center and Youth Development Program work together to offer a healthy relationships and teen dating workshops for students in grades 6-12 which focuses on maneuvering the complexities of love and relationships. These workshops serve as a safe space for open dialogue and address establishing healthy boundaries, identifying warning signs of abuse, emphasizing consent, and promoting effective communication skills.
At the center of our Youth Development is our YW Esteem workshop, which is offered to individuals, schools, and organizations as a stand-alone or series of sessions covering one or multiple topics about self-improvement. These sessions cover leadership, self-awareness and respect, conflict resolution, decision making, and teen dating violence prevention – all through the lens of diversity and racial equity. By teaching students the importance of recognizing the power of their voice, youth are given an essential skill that will stick with them not only through dating but daily life.
Our YW Leaders program provides students with insights on how they can get more involved with the legislative process and impact an array of policies that protect survivors of violence.
Through these initiatives, YWCA Delaware is helping to shape a new generation that acts with understanding, consent, and empathy. In 2023, YWCA Delaware’s Youth Program provided workshops to over 550 students. As TDVAM unfolds this month and every day of the year, YWCA Delaware remains committed to helping youth and adults nurture healthy and safe relationships. To learn more about how you can help spread awareness about teen dating violence and contribute to positive change in your community, visit the Love is Respect 2024 Action Guide.