by nycScribbler, 24 September 2008


Texas teens learn about healthy dating behaviors

Teen dating statistics in Texas show that 75 percent of Texas teens have experienced dating abuse or know someone who has. One in two teens has experienced dating violence or abuse firsthand.

These alarming statistics have prompted the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, loveisrespect, in partnership with the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, to launch the LOVE campaign at James Bowie High School in Austin, Texas.

The idea behind LOVE-IS-RESPECT is simple: "Those who love you respect you, not hurt you".

The LOVE campaign’s goal is to raise awareness of healthy dating conduct and bring to light dating abuse “red flags” which will help teens to save themselves from dangerous relationships. The campaign will run several public service announcements (PSA) on loveisrespect.org and on social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, as well as on YouTube, and Channel One school broadcasts. They will also distribute informational toolkits to all high schools in Texas containing PSAs, mini wallet cards, and other educational tools to help schools convey their message of love is respect to students.

Additionally, the campaign is stylized to aid schools throughout Texas to meet House Bill 121 requirements by helping to protect teens from dating violence. Attorney General, Greg Abbott, is proud to be a part of this campaign which he feels will teach teens about healthy relationships, and ultimately teach them necessary life skills.

House Bill 121 was initially drafted after Bowie High School student, Jennifer Ann Crecente, was fatally shot on February 18, 2006, at the age of 18 by an ex-boyfriend. Jennifer’s mother, Elizabeth Crecente, describes how Jennifer’s relationship did not fit the typical adult domestic violence situation, and was not recognized as potentially life-threatening. This is why it is necessary to have programs like loveisrespect to teach teens and parents about all the warning signs.

The loveisrespect helpline is a 24 hour resource made specifically for teens and young adults. Anyone can anonymously contact a trained teen dating abuse advocate by phone at 866-331-9474 or they can also chat one-on-one in a confidential conversation with a peer advocate between the hours of 4 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Not only is this campaign so important because it educates and provides teens in crisis with someone to talk to who can provide help, but it also empowers teens to make the right decisions on their own. By being aware of certain tell-tale signs, teens can protect themselves from abusive relationships.

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Please also read: FAMILY VALUES and PATERNITY LEAVE: Real Men do Nurture Kids Using SEX to sell any and everything means it works, BUT, do we go too far when sexualizing pre-pubescent children? The ANNUAL iCUBED.us VALENTINE's DAY Challenge 2011: "Corniest Love Song Lyrics" . Life Lessons: “What is the True Definition of Love?” Part II Life Lessons: “What is the True Definition of Love?” Part I September 2007 Editorial Theme: "L O V E" LOVE AND ZEN Check out all our blogs in “CURRENT AFFAIRS & FASHION”

Sources: MarketWatch - Love is respect national teen dating abuse... All LOVE campaign materials can be viewed at http://www.loveisrespect.org. To learn more about Jennifer Crecente's story, visit http://www.jennifershope.org and http://www.jennifercrecente.org.