Since her return from the Peer Ambassador retreat in Dallas, Daegan has become very active in her community to raise awareness about teen dating abuse. She is in the process of starting an organization to promote the ideas of loveisrespect called Badgers Against Dating Abuse, or B.A.D.A. This is a great idea because her school has not had a club similar to this one. She would like to begin promoting healthy relationships at her school and has decided to put loveisrespect posters around her school to advertise both the club and the website.
The following Video Diary depicts a common type of abuse teens may experience in relationships – isolation/exclusion. This is categorized by controlling what another person does, who he/she sees or talks to, what she/he reads, where she/he goes, limiting outside involvement and using jealousy to justify actions.
Jenny is keeping Adam from his friends and family. She is texting him constantly and she is always keeping tabs on him. Those are all red flags of an unhealthy relationship. Read more…
There are a million reasons why I enjoy working at loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline. When I first learned of the position of being a peer advocate at the helpline I was thrilled and felt like it could not have come at a better time. I started in August ‘09 and since then I have been educated on so many important issues that I always wanted to be involved with before but never had quite the same opportunity as with working at loveisrespect. It has allowed me to carry out my part in raising dating abuse awareness not only at work but at school and in the community as well. Out of all the reasons why I am privileged to work at the Helpline, in the end the main one is not about me, but helping others and contributing towards making a positive difference in their lives.
I love working at loveisrespect, a huge reason why I love it here is because I was in a very unhealthy relationship in the past myself. Because of my past, I really think that I can relate to and understand those who have been in the same position I have been in. It means a lot to me when I talk to someone and they say thank you, because at that point I realize that I actually did help somebody and that I might have provided the advice they needed to have positively changed their future in some way. It feels awesome to know that I am part of a team that recognizes the importance of the Helpline and that truly makes a difference.
The following Video Diary depicts a common type of abuse teens may experience in relationships – intimidation/threats. Intimidation is characterized by someone making you afraid by using looks, actions and gestures, smashing things, destroying property, abusing pets or displaying weapons. Types of threats used by abusers are threats to do something to hurt another, threatening to leave, commit suicide or to report her/him to the police, making her/him drop charges or making her/him do illegal things.
Kyle’s actions are all red flags of an unhealthy relationship. When he smashes his cell phone, pins Sarah’s arm back and threatens to kills himself those are methods of intimidation and threats. View the video and read our peer advocate advice on addressing this situation after the jump. Read more…
One of our most active peer ambassadors, Faythe has been continuing her projects with her school organization, Angels Against Abuse, which raises awareness on teen dating violence. The organization holds many events in the community to promote healthy relationships such as skit performances and an annual block party. In honor of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, the organization has placed victim posters around the campus describing different stories of teens that have been killed. There are also 500 light blue flags out on the courtyard representing the one in four students who will experience an abusive relationship during their time in school. Among many other things, Angels Against Abuse is working toward raising awareness in the community.
Recently, Faythe was featured on a PBS special in Colorado as part of a panel on Teen on Teen Violence. Faythe represented both her school organization and the teenage perspective. Along with the Director of the local domestic violence shelter in Denver, Faythe focused on teen dating violence. The video can be found by clicking here.
The following Video Diary depicts a common type of abuse teens may experience in relationships – anger/emotional abuse. This is characterized by someone putting you down, making you feel bad about yourself, name calling, playing mind games, humiliation, making you feel guilty or making you think you are crazy.
Natalie’s boyfriend Mike is mean, makes fun of her and calls her names. These are all red flags of an unhealthy relationship. View the video and read our peer advocate advice on addressing this situation after the jump.
We are very excited to officially unveil our latest creation, the loveisrespect iPhone application! The loveisrespect application comes with eight function buttons including a blog feed, contact link, learn more link, who we are link, a direct button to our YouTube, Twitter and Facebook accounts and a volunteer form. The best part is, it is completely free to download! Check it out by clicking here.
Be sure to tune in to MTV tonight for the premiere of Sexting in America: When Privates Go Public. The news special is premiering on Valentine’s Day as part of MTV’s A Thin Line campaign to stop the spread of digital abuse. Celebrities such as Boys Like Girls, Michelle Trachtenburg, All Time Low and Asher Roth have also teamed up with MTV to spread awareness and will be appearing right before the start of the show. Be sure to check out the MTV News special tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Did you know 1.5 million teens will experience abuse in their relationship this year? Get involved and do your part this month. Check out haveaheartcampaign.org for ideas and resources. Also be sure to check out their campaign video after the jump. Read more…
Since her return from the Peer Ambassador retreat in Dallas, Daegan has become very active in her community to raise awareness about teen dating abuse. She is in the process of starting an organization to promote the ideas of loveisrespect called Badgers Against Dating Abuse, or B.A.D.A. This is a great idea because her school has not had a club similar to this one. She would like to begin promoting healthy relationships at her school and has decided to put loveisrespect posters around her school to advertise both the club and the website.
There are a million reasons why I enjoy working at loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline. When I first learned of the position of being a peer advocate at the helpline I was thrilled and felt like it could not have come at a better time. I started in August ‘09 and since then I have been educated on so many important issues that I always wanted to be involved with before but never had quite the same opportunity as with working at loveisrespect. It has allowed me to carry out my part in raising dating abuse awareness not only at work but at school and in the community as well. Out of all the reasons why I am privileged to work at the Helpline, in the end the main one is not about me, but helping others and contributing towards making a positive difference in their lives.
