Instead of using their sleepovers to watch music videos and gossip—like so many of us used to—a group of six middle school girls from East Texas have been spending their free time discussing state legislation and planning a PSA about teen dating violence.
Most high school health classes (particularly in public schools, where programs are often underfunded and rushed) barely scrape the surface of dating violence when there are other hot-button health dangers to deal with: high-risk sex practices and HIV, for instance.
Two weeks ago, 18-year-old Abraham Lopez was charged with fatal stabbing his ex-girlfriend, 17-year-old Cindi Santana, in their high school's courtyard during lunch. Some have complained that the school didn't do enough to prevent the attack, so the school is now considering providing more education on dating violence.
A new study shows that teens who have sex with both male and female partners are more likely to experience dating violence, and less likely to use condoms.
Many texting trends (cf. "chexting") are just silly, but experts say "textual harassment" is dangerous — a new and disturbing feature of abusive relationships.
British schools are planning classes to teach kids ages five to fifteen about preventing domestic violence — but some parents' groups aren't happy.
On Good Morning America today Marlee Matlin discussed revelations in her new book I'll Scream Later about her childhood sexual abuse, learning of her Oscar nomination in rehab, and her physically abusive relationship William Hurt.
There are so many frustrating elements about this New York Times article on dating violence and teenage girls that one is not even sure where to begin. But let's give it a whirl, shall we?
The teen organization Do Something has launched the 1 in 3 Campaign to raise awareness about dating violence. As part of the effort they've created a PSA that graphically reenacts the Chris Brown/Rihanna assault.
