Teen Dating Violence (DV) Prevention and Awareness Month is a national effort to raise awareness about abuse in teen and 20-something relationships and promote programs that prevent it during the month of February.

The repercussions of teen dating violence are impossible to ignore – they hurt not just the young people victimized but also their families, friends, schools and communities. Throughout February, organizations and individuals nationwide are coming together to highlight the need to educate young people about dating violence, teach healthy relationship skills and prevent the devastating cycle of abuse.

The History of teenDVmonth

For years, young people across the nation have organized to put a stop to dating abuse. With their adult allies, they achieved a major victory in 2005 when the importance of addressing teen dating abuse was highlighted in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

The following year, Congress followed the lead of dozens of national, state and local organizations in sounding the call to end dating abuse. Both Chambers declared the first full week in February "National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Week." Then in 2010, they began dedicating the entire month of February to teen dating violence awareness and prevention. 

About Us

TeenDVmonth, also known as the National Resource Center for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, is sponsored by Break the Cycle and loveisrespect as a collaborative effort to promote February as "teenDVmonth." Now in its third year as a full awareness month, Break the Cycle recently folded their "Let Your Heart Rule" public campaign for teens into the overall teenDVmonth 2103 campaign.

Break the Cycle is a leading national voice for the prevention of dating violence among teens and young adults. With partners ranging from MTV to the White House, Break the Cycle creates innovative programming to educate and engage youth to take a direct role in ending violence while simultaneously building the tools and resources for adults to lead youth on that journey. An official technical assistance provider for the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, Break the Cycle's teenDVmonth efforts reach more than one million youth and adults annually. 

Loveisrespect is the most comprehensive online destination for healthy relationships. A project of Break the Cycle and the National Dating Abuse Helpline, loveisrespect provides information, tips and action strategies for young people to prevent and end dating abuse, along with 24/7 confidential peer-led support available by phone, text or chat. 

A special note of thanks to the partner organizations listed below who have been instrumental in making this month a success and for raising awareness of the critical issue of dating violence around the country.

• Break the Cycle
• National Dating Abuse Helpline
• Casa de Esperanza
• Futures Without Violence (formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund)
• Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
• Loveisrespect
• Mary Kay Inc.
• Men Can Stop Rape
• MTV
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• National Network to End Domestic Violence
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
• Start Strong: Building Healthy Teen Relationships
• VAWnet: National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women
• Women of Color Network