Public Awareness
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Awareness Activities for Schools and Communities
The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) is pleased to offer the following ideas and resources for schools and communities to raise awareness of Teen Dating Violence. Tip: including teens in the planning of activities will provide for a more effective event.
- Post a sign on your school marquee for the community to see that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
- Encourage students to visit New York State’s website, “Respect Love, Love Respect” and corresponding Facebook page.
- Ask the editor of the student newspaper to do a story on teen dating violence. Other students can be invited to submit poetry, drawings, song lyrics, etc. to accompany the article.
- OPDV’s “This Isn’t Love” teen dating violence awareness poster (high-resolution pdf - 508kb) can be printed in color on 8-1/2” x 11” paper and posted throughout the school. Other sizes:
Medium resolution pdf - 141kb
Low resolution pdf - 95kb
- Provide Teen Dating Violence Fact Sheet and an Informational Guide to students and parents.
- Use the official New York State Proclamation (printer-friendly-pdf). Portions of it can be read aloud on the PA system or during the morning program. It can be displayed in the school lobby. School officials can use it as a template and issue their own proclamation. Please note: The above link goes to the 2011 Proclamation. The 2012 Proclamation will be posted when it becomes available.
- Coordinate an Awareness Day.
- Work with your local domestic violence service provider to do an assembly on Teen Dating Violence and Healthy Relationships. Here is a listing of domestic violence service providers by county.
- Create a school library display highlighting teen dating violence prevention. Provide books, posters, articles, etc. See Resources below.
- Collect clothes, toys, baby items and assorted supplies for the local domestic violence shelter.
- BE CREATIVE!
It’s More Than a Month
Teen dating violence and respect can -- and should be -- topics of discussion year round. Here are some things that your school or community can work on long-term:
- Develop a policy for your school or agency. With a policy in place, you will know what to do when a situation arises.
- Develop an ongoing relationship and collaboration with your local domestic violence service provider. They want to help. You can discuss the best ways to provide teen dating violence education and spport for the teens in your community.
- Form a peer organization or awareness group.
- Incorporate awareness of teen dating violence into teen activities. For example, at a school dance, ask teens to bring items to donate to the local domestic violence program as a ticket for admission.
Resources:
- National Resource Center for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (Teen DV Month) “What Can I Do?”
- Teen DV Month “Host an Event”
- Love Is Not Abuse “Steps to Get Involved”
- Love Is Respect “Take Action”
- National Teen Dating Violence Prevention Initiative (American Bar Association)
- Lindsay Ann Burke Memorial Fund
Special thanks to the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence for collaborating with us on this list.
