Teen Dating Violence Prevention Project
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month! Explore these pages to learn what you can do to celebrate.
From the Vice President
Author of the landmark 1994 Violence Against Women Act, Vice President Joseph Biden recently commented on Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month:
After fifteen years of working to end domestic violence, we have learned that teens are not immune from abuse in relationships. Teen dating violence is all too common, and ends up leading to vicious and unhealthy cycles for years to come. Our responsibility - as parents, teachers, mentors, and community leaders - is to guide our young people towards respectful relationships free from harassment and abuse; teach them that it's ok to walk away from a bad situation; and encourage them to speak out when they see a friend in trouble. In many communities, teens themselves are leading the way in organizing their schools and communities to stand against violence. I commend them.
The Purpose of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
The repercussions of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore - the issue affects not just youth but their families, schools and communities as well. Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) brings national focus to the issue of teen dating violence, highlights the need to educate our youth about healthy relationships, raises awareness among those who care for them and provides communities with a critical opportunity to work together to prevent this devastating cycle of abuse.
The History of TDVAM
The Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Initiative was spearheaded by teenagers across the nation who chose to take a stand and put a stop to teen dating violence. In 2005, the importance of addressing teen dating violence was highlighted by its inclusion in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.
Now supported by dozens of national, state and local organizations, the call to end teen dating violence was formally recognized by Congress in 2006. At that time, both Houses of Congress declared the first full week in February "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week."
For the first time this year, our leaders in Congress are dedicating an entire month to teen dating violence awareness and prevention. To celebrate, we are calling upon government representatives and agencies, public officials, advocates, service providers, schools, parents and youth to take part in programs and activities that promote awareness and prevention of teen dating violence.
Recognize TDVAM in Your Community
You can ask your mayor, governor, school principal or other public officials to issue a proclamation recognizing TDVAM in your community:
We can take a meaningful stand against dating violence. Find out more you can do during TDVAM.
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Recognizing Teen Dating
Violence Awareness Month
United States of America
Arizona
Warren, AK
Los Angeles, CA
Oakland, CA
West Hollywood, CA
Connecticut
Berlin, CT
Cromwell, CT
East Haven, CT
Manchester, CT
Sterling, CT
Stratford, CT
Delaware
Wilmington, DE
District of Columbia
Alachua County, FL
Gainesville, FL
Naples, FL
Palm Bay, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
Georgia
Weiser, ID
Illinois
Iowa
Albia, IA
Creston, IA
Guttenberg, IA
Lake City, IA
Kansas
Kentucky
Corydon, KY
Mason County, KY
Spencer County, KY
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Jefferson, NJ
Manchester, NJ
North Bergen, NJ
New Mexico
Alamogordo, NM
Jemez Springs, NM
Las Cruces,NM
Questa, NM
Truth or Consequences,NM
New York
Roanoke Rapids, NC
Sanford, NC
Ohio
Oklahoma
Clinton, OK
Pennsylvania
Johnstown, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Rhode Island
County of Chesterfield, SC
South Dakota
Dallas, TX
Travis County, TX
Fredericksburg, VA
Chehalis, WA
West Virginia
Wyoming
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