The issue of teen dating violence

Posted

By Cheryl Bowdridge

Special to The PREVIEW

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Some of you may be thinking, “Is that really an issue?” The answer is yes. One in three young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 will be involved in some form of dating violence. That number is alarming when you think about the fact that some of us have three daughters, so possibly one of them.

Dating violence is not always physical. It comes in the form of control, verbal abuse and/or emotional abuse; often physical violence is not present in a dating violence relationship. What most teens don’t even realize is that their relationship may be unhealthy. When a young person is in the middle of a relationship, the control and constant attention they receive from their partner may seem completely normal to them.

The full version of this story is available in the print edition and e-edition of the Pagosa Springs SUN. Subscribe today by calling (970)264-2100 or click here.