MARLBORO COUNTY — Teen relationships should be built on respect, trust, and safety yet one in three teens experiences dating violence. This February, Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Assault is joining the national movement to raise awareness, educate communities and empower young people to recognize the warning signs of unhealthy relationships.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) is a critical time to amplify conversations about prevention, intervention, and support. Through community engagement, education, and advocacy, Pee Dee Coalition is committed to ensuring that teens and those who support them — parents/guardians, educators and peers — have the resources they need to foster healthy relationships and prevent abuse.

“Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is important because it focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating violence before it starts,” said Tracey Miller, Director of Prevention Programs at Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Assault. “If I could share one thing with parents, it would be to have conversations with your teens and children. Make these discussions a part of your family’s safety rules. Just as you talk about wearing a seatbelt or being mindful of where you go, the same approach should apply to conversations about dating violence.

“For example, if you’re watching a movie and a scene involving dating violence comes on, use that moment to ask your teen, ‘What would you do if this happened to you?’ or ‘How would you support a friend who shared this was happening to them?’ You don’t have to have all the answers, but having these conversations can make a real difference.

Know the Signs

Teen dating violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and digital abuse. Love is Respect (an advocacy project by the National Domestic Violence Hotline) identifies that warning signs of an unhealthy relationship include:

· Excessive jealousy or possessiveness

· Constant monitoring, including checking phones or social media without permission

· Isolation from family and friends

· Extreme mood swings or explosive anger

· Putting you down frequently, especially in front of others

· Pressuring or forcing unwanted activities

· Any form of physical harm

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these signs, help is available. Call Pee Dee Coalition’s 24/7 Crisis Line at 843-669-4600 or 1-800-273-1820.

Get Involved and Take Action

Pee Dee Coalition offers educational presentations year-round on topics including recognizing teen dating violence, bystander intervention: how to speak up & support a friend, the importance of healthy relationships, and building collaborative prevention partnerships. To schedule a presentation or learn more about available programs, contact Pee Dee Coalition’s Director of Prevention Programs, Tracey Miller at tmiller@peedeecoalition.org.

To stay connected with Pee Dee Coalition follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@PeeDeeCoalitionOrg) for event updates and resources. Together, we can create a safer, more compassionate community, Learn more at www.peedeecoalition.org. To learn more about resources for young people who face teen dating violence, visit www.loveisrespect.org. Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Assault is sponsored by United Way.

About Pee Dee Coalition

Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Assault is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of sexual assault, family violence, and child abuse and to the needs of victims. Serving the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, Pee Dee Coalition offers support to survivors and works to create safer communities through its efforts in their entirety.