February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

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  • By Military OneSource
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE --  Learning to build healthy dating relationships is an important part of being a teenager.  Parents play a key role in helping teenagers understand what is healthy - and what isn't - in their relationships with peers.

The Family Advocacy Program on Little Rock Air Force Base encourages and promotes healthy relationships between families and their teen children.
Family Advocacy and the Youth Center will team up for a 90-minute program Feb. 25 at 4:30 p.m. related to bullying, teen violence and how teens can protect themselves if they ever should find themselves in an abusive relationship.  Call the Youth Center at 987-2749 to register. 

Talking with teenagers about dating relationships may seem like a real challenge. Keep in mind that your experience is a great resource for your teen.

"It's not always easy, but with a little bit of a conscious effort, you and your teen can have a vibrant, open relationship where consistent communication can actually help reduce the fear of the teen dating violence issue," said Lisa Dicus, LCSW,  19th Medical Operations Group Family Advocacy Officer.

Here are a few tips to get you started:
· Model good relationships. Teens notice when you're respectful in your relationships at home. Show your teen that communicating in a positive way helps build trust and respect. This is one of the most significant ways that teens learn about healthy relationships.
· Talk with your teen about relationships they see on television or at school. Use these opportunities to talk about what's healthy and what's unhealthy in a relationship. Talk with your teenager about the importance of being respected - and respectful - in a relationship.
· Teach your teen that abusive behavior is not okay. Your teen should be concerned about anyone who is disrespectful, threatening or demeaning.  Bullying is not okay!
· Keep the conversation casual. Let your teen ask questions and guide the discussion. Your teen may be more willing to talk if you do it on their terms.
· Learn about digital abuse. This can include excessive texting, sending intimidating texts or emails, and using social media sites to post threats or insults. Talk with your teen about using social medial responsibly.  You may also consider monitoring your teenager's use of social media sites as a way to help keep them safe.
· Talk with your teenager about the importance of trust and relationship boundaries. Let your teenager know that privacy is important, and they should be concerned about someone who wants to share passwords or constantly check their phone or email accounts.
· Remember that relationships don't have to be violent to be abusive. Talk with your teenager about recognizing the warning signs of an abusive relationship, including when someone is overly jealous, is demeaning or wants to isolate your teen from family and friends.  Remember, love shouldn't hurt in any way, shape or form.
· Keep the lines of communication open. Be sure your teenager knows that you are available to talk with them at any time without judgment or anger.  Sometimes teens won't tell things out of fear of getting into trouble.
 
If you believe your teen is in an unhealthy relationship, your support can be vital in helping them get through this tough time. Teenagers, like others in abusive relationships, often believe their abuser will get better over time. Unfortunately, abusive behavior often becomes more violent if the relationship continues in the same pattern. If your teen comes to you for help in a relationship, take the conversation seriously. Help your teen make a plan to keep safe and get help, if necessary.

"Eighty one percent of parents believe teen dating violence  is not an issue or admit they don't even know if it is an issue with their teens," said Dicus.

Help is available for teenagers through Family Advocacy at 987-7377 or with trained peer advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline  at 1-800-799-7233 who are available by phone or by online chat. You may also want to contact a Military OneSource consultant at 1-800-342-9647 who can refer you to someone who can help.

(Little Rock AFB Family Advocacy contributed to this story)