February is Dating Violence Awareness Month, a national effort to raise awareness about the impacts of dating abuse and encourage communities to support teens and young adults in seeking healthy relationships. Though these conversations are important to have year-round, February gives us the opportunity to shine a light on dating abuse and inspire conversations about healthy relationships in order to stop violence before it starts.

1 in 3 young people will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with. Everyone deserves a healthy relationship. Here are 5 ways you can take action to prevent dating violence and promote healthy relationships this February: 

1.

Participate in Wear Orange Day on Tuesday, February 8th to raise awareness about dating violence and promote healthy relationships. Post a picture of you in your orange on social media and include statistics, relationship red flags and green flags, or finish the statement “I Wear Orange Because…” to share with others why raising awareness about dating violence is important.  

2.

Take the #WhatAboutLove pledge to end dating violence. Share the pledge on social media to encourage other to do the same. Don’t forget to use #WhatAboutLove and #StopTheHurt! 

Take the Pledge

3.

Download Stop the Hurt’s Dating Violence Awareness Month Take Action! Toolkit to empower teens and young adults to raise awareness about dating violence and promote healthy relationships. The toolkit includes social media posts, activities, school resources, and more. 

Check it Out!

4.

Spread awareness about relationship abuse. Have conversations about healthy and unhealthy behaviors in relationships, share resources, empower teens and young adults with information to build healthier relationships. Let others know that everyone deserves safe, healthy, happy relationships. 

5.

Donate to or volunteer at your local crisis center or domestic violence shelter to support survivors of abuse. 

Everyone has a part in ending dating abuse. We recognize that while love has many definitions, abuse should never be one of them. Make the commitment to practice healthy love and encourage others to do the same.

Author

  • Kiara Nicholson

    Kiara is a full-time cat lady with a passion for social justice. At HCWC, she is the Primary Prevention Coordinator – facilitating conversations with adolescents and adults on fostering healthier relationships and ways to make the world a safer, more equitable place. Kiara is a proud alum of Texas State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Applied Sociology. Her passions include social change, youth activism, LGBTQ activism, and crafting. She doesn’t like taking pictures, but she does love Bitmojis.