Know anybody having a problem with a boyfriend or girlfriend? Are you?

Teens may be young, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get hurt in relationships. We’re not talking about broken hearts. We’re talking about broken arms. According to some studies, one-third of teen girls in dating relationships fear for their physical safety. One-half of teens in serious relationships have compromised their personal beliefs or done things they didn’t want to do just to please their partner. One-third have been strongly controlled in what they do, who they talk to, and where they go. Don’t let yourself be one of these statistics. Dating violence is not OK and it’s not your fault.

In February 2007, the National Domestic Violence Hotline opened a Teen Dating Violence hotline. It’s all about helping teens and their families when they need it. Skilled listeners who know how it feels to be a young adult will answer calls and provide services and support to teens and young adults and their families. Teens will also be able to visit the Teen Hotline website, which provides information on dating and relationship violence. The site contains online message boards where teens can ask questions, share experiences, and express feelings.

The hotline and website will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with trained teens on the lines from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m., when many calls are expected. Young adult listeners ages 18-24 will provide overnight services and support to college-aged youth.

If something about your relationship scares you or if you are worried about your teen and need help now, call:

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

You can also visit www.ndvh.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s website. When you visit the website, you can find out more about the Teen Dating Violence Hotline and provide feedback on how the website can best meet the needs of teens and young adults.

This article was submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare.