TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  Advocacy Resource Center is promoting awareness to our local youth by having educational display boards at Sault Area High School and at Malcolm High School.  Along with the educational boards will be flyers available for our poster contest in which participants can win a $50 prize for submitting their artwork to spread awareness for Teen Dating Violence.

Do you know the Red Flags or WARNING SIGNS of TDV?  

Do any of those look familiar in your current relationship?  If so, you can always reach out to an advocate at ARC.  Your information is confidential, meaning no one will know that you called or are seeking help.  Advocates can help you with your situation and help you better understand how to handle the emotions and behaviors that are associated with Teen Dating Violence.  

THE POWER AND CONTROL WHEEL 

The Power and Control Wheel is broken down into three sections which defines three forms of abuse; physical, emotional, and sexual.  Each form of abuse IS ABUSE.  

"While it doesn't cover every survivor's experience, it does portray the most common tactics teen abusers use against their dating partners. You will notice that the center, or hub, of the wheel is "Power and Control." This is at the very heart of this wheel because power and control are the reasons abusers choose to use violence and other tactics against their dating partners. They want complete power over and control of their partners. In order to get that power and control, most teen abusers start out very slyly using the various tactics - or spokes - of the wheel, but usually increase their use of them over time. These include anger/emotional abuse, using social status, intimidation, minimize/deny/blame, threats, sexual coercion, isolation/exclusion and peer pressure. The outer rim of the wheel is physical violence as violent acts or the threat of violent acts are what abusers use to get and keep their power and control over their dating partners". (www.michigan.gov/datingviolence)

If you feel unsafe, or feel scared, or pressured in any way-reach out for help. You are not "stuck" in this situation and there are ways out.  Violence is not traditional and it is unacceptable.  

Look for more information daily at www.facebook.com/saulttribeARC

Just remember, you are not alone and there is help.  Contact ARC advocates at 906.632.1808.