Wilton PD: February Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Press release from the Wilton Police Department:

Feb. 9, 2022

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) is partnering with the Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force to recognize February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). Wilton TDVAM programs will include a parent workshop and a free movie night for teens. Click here for a complete list of DVCC's activities and resources for teens and the adults who support them.

The theme for TDVAM 2022 is "Talk About It," a call to action to encourage meaningful conversations about healthy relationships and navigate what may be unhealthy or even abusive. One in three teens in the US will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults. In addition, nearly half of college women report experiencing violent or abusive dating behaviors.

"Community education plays a critical role in addressing and preventing teen dating abuse. Unfortunately, young people may not grow up in a home with adults who model healthy relationship behaviors in their own lives. Still, those skills can be learned through preventive education." said Ann Rodwell Lawton, DVCC's Associate Director. "Studies show that a young person's first relationship experience sets the tone for their future relationships. Learning to recognize healthy relationship signs and knowing how to access resources for help better equips teens in building healthy relationships now and for their futures."

Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force member Donna Peterson said the partnership with DVCC enables the task force to support teens and their parents in the community by providing education and resources on this important issue.

"We are grateful for our partnership with DVCC in raising awareness for the prevention of teen dating abuse. DVCC's prevention educators and counselors provide a vital resource for families in the Wilton community."

Click here to view the full list of Wilton TDVAM Programs.

This press release was produced by the Wilton Police Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.