Photo By Laurie Pearson | February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month... read more read more
Behavioral Health is prepared to kick off a variety of events in light of February being Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month, aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif.
“Our intent is to start reaching the youth, when they’re tweens and teens, so that we can instill those protective factors in them, in order to prevent them from becoming a number or a victim of teen dating abuse,” said Michelle Adams, prevention and education specialist and victim advocate with the Behavioral Health Section on base. “The events we have planned throughout the month of February are fun and engaging, but also educational and informative. We’ll have resources available so that attendees can check them out, take information home with them, or ask questions while we’re there, as well.”
Some of the events include an art contest, self-defense classes, art night and a bowling night.
“If a teenage is approached too directly about the topic of dating violence, or teen violence, they may not be as receptive,” Adams said. So, we touch on the subject, but try not to be off-putting or heavy handed with it. Then once the fun activities are over and everyone has had a good time, they can also take information home. We make sure they know the resources available and then they can reach out when they’re ready.”
With an uptick in electronic usage, especially among teenagers, special attention is paid to the use of cellular phones, computers and myriad social media platforms as potential tools for abuse.
“Teen dating violence takes many forms,” said Angelica Benavidez, Marine Corps Community Services Barstow operations officer, and former victim advocate with Behavioral Health. “It can be physical violence, sexual violence, psychological aggression, and even stalking. It can be in-person or it can be online, or via text.”
Regardless of what method an abuser uses, it is important to note what healthy relationships look like, compared to bad ones, and be able to identify abuse.
“In a healthy relationship, there is a mutual respect,” Adams said. “In an unhealthy relationship, the abuser might try to make a person feel bad, feel unsafe, or try to manipulate them.” You may be experiencing digital abuse if your partner:
•Tells you who you can or cannot be friends with on social media
•Sends you mean, insulting or threatening messages
•Uses social sites and applications to keep track of you and your every move or stop
•Puts you down in their status updates
•Sends you unwanted explicit images and/or demands them
•Pressures you to send explicit videos
•Steals or insists on having your passwords
•Sends abundant texts to keep you tethered to your phone intentionally so that they can keep tabs on you
•Looks through your phone frequently, checks your pictures, messages and call logs
“It’s also important to note that sending and receiving explicit images from anyone under the age of 18 is illegal and those individuals can be prosecuted,” Benavidez said. “In addition, the person sending the images might be promised that the images will be deleted immediately, but that’s not always the case. Abusers can save those images in order to punish the person later, or threaten them. Even some of the apps used to share images state that the images are deleted after a short period, but that doesn’t stop someone from downloading them without the sender’s knowledge. Once an image is sent, it can be out there forever, to be used against them at any time.”
A healthy relationship should include the following characteristics:
–Mutual respect for healthy boundaries
–The ability to shut off your phone without permission. –You have the right to be alone and spend time with friends and family without your partner getting angry
–You do not have to text any pictures or statements that you are uncomfortable sending, especially nude, partially nude photos, known as “sexting”
–You do not have to share your passwords with anyone
–Know your privacy settings. Social networks allow the user to control how their information is shared and who has access. These are often customizable and are found in the privacy section of the site. Once apps are updated, re-check those settings.
–Be mindful when using check-ins on social media sites. This can alert abusive partners, or predators to your location and habits.
“It’s important to remember that abuse can happen to anyone,” Adams said. “It doesn’t discriminate between social classes, ages, genders, or racial lines. Nearly 1.5 million high school students experience some form of physical abuse at the hands of their dating partner each year. One in three girls are victims of physical, emotional or verbal abuse. Also one in ten high school students have been purposefully hit, slapped or otherwise physically hurt by a partner. This violent behavior toward females often begins around the ages of 12 to 18 years. So, getting this information to them starting with the tweens is really important.”
Teen Dating Violence Facts:
*Violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications by putting the victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and additional domestic violence.
*Youth who experience some form of dating violence are more likely to attempt suicide.
*Only 33 percent of teens who were in an abusive relationship told anyone or reached out for help.
“Sadly, there is a higher chance that someone who experiences abuse as a child or teen will continue to experience some form of issues as they mature, but it seems to be a fifty-fifty chance that they will become either a victim or an abuser,” Benavidez said. “In some way, though, the cycle of abuse will continue without proper intervention, education and treatment.”
Setting healthy online boundaries plays a critical part in society today.
“Ask people if it is okay to tag them in photos or check-ins, before just doing so,” said Jesica Grow, Family Advocacy Programs coordinator. “Ask, too, if it is okay to post a change to your relationship status on social media. Some people prefer to keep those things private, and that’s okay. Another good question might be whether it is okay to friend or follow each other’s friends on social media. What are reasonable expectations regarding texting and returning messages? You should also discuss whether it is okay to use each other’s devices. It’s up to you each to establish those healthy boundaries and understand why they are important to each other.”
For additional information about the vast resources available, contact the Behavioral Health Section at 760-577-6533. Additional sites include: www.loveisrespect.org. and www.militaryonesource.mil.
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2020 15:45 |
| Story ID: | 360555 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 219 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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