LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is reminding Michigan citizens that February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
As a result, Governor Whitmer is encouraging Michigan citizens to get educated about teen dating violence.
Specifically, Whitmer recommends learning about three facets relating to the subject:
- signs of dating violence;
- the impact perpetrators have on their current or former intimate partners;
- how to empower and support victims.
“As a mom of two teenage girls, nothing is more important to me than their safety,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Raising awareness about teen dating violence will help my girls and young Michiganders everywhere. Victims of dating violence need to know that they’re not alone, that they are believed, and that there are resources available to help them. The Division of Victim Services within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is among the important advocates for victims.”
According to data provided by Whitmer’s office, nearly 1.5 million high school students in the United States are physically abused by dating partners every year, yet only 33 percent of victims ever disclose the abuse.
Forty three percent of college women and 28 percent of college men report experiencing either abuse or controlling behaviors in a dating relationship.
Additionally, Whitmer notes that dating violence can impact anyone – regardless of their religion, culture, gender, sexuality, economic or social status.
“We can all play a role in ending teen dating violence by educating ourselves, empowering young people to develop healthy relationships, and developing better supportive services,” executive director of the MDHHS Division of Victim Services Debi Cain said. “The MDHHS Division of Victim Services is committed to advancing this critical work by creating more and better dating violence resources for young people while connecting victims with the information and support they may need after experiencing abuse.”
Support for individuals can be found for friends and victims by calling the Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474, or by texting “loveis” to 22522.
To find a local domestic violence or sexual assault program provider near you, visit the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence provider directory.
LGBTQ+ youth in crisis can reach out to The Trevor Project 24/7 at 1-866-488-7386 or text/chat at www.thetrevorproject.org/help.
