Let's Work Together to Reduce Dating Violence
By PPIN Director of Education Leslie Montgomery
A survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that more than 17 percent of high school girls surveyed in Indiana last year said they had been forced to have sex. Indiana has the second-highest percentage of the 42 states surveyed. Considering that Indiana has a rate of dating violence that is higher than the national average, we need to take a look at how we can help our young people have healthier relationships.
Tips for helping young people develop healthy relationships:
- Young people learn from your example – make sure you are modeling healthy, respectful relationships in your own life.
- Communicate openly and honestly with young people – listen more and talk less.
- Acknowledge the feelings young people express and help them to figure out appropriate ways to deal with them.
- Help young people to feel good about themselves – youth with high self-esteem are more confident and likely to develop healthy relationships.
- Provide guidance so that young people learn to use technology responsibly.
- Share your values with the young people in your life and help them to think through how to handle tough situations they may face in relationships.
- Be "askable" and encouraging – avoid judging, blaming or jumping to conclusions if a young person approaches you with a relationship concern.
- If you know a young person who is in an abusive relationship, provide them with resources where they can get help, such as:
Planned Parenthood of Indiana is here to help. Our community educators can provide education to young people about how to recognize different forms of dating violence and signs of unhealthy relationships. Our educators can also assist parents and adults to help them communicate more comfortably and effectively with teens about these issues.
For more information or to schedule an education session, contact your local Planned Parenthood of Indiana Educator.
