Stop teen dating violence

February is the month when we celebrate love and joy on Valentine's Day. Ironically, it's also the month dedicated to raising awareness about dating violence.

One in three adolescent girls is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. That figure far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth.

U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., have introduced a resolution proclaiming February 2010 as the first “National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month.”

Their resolution supports communities to empower teens to develop healthier relationships. It calls on parents, schools and community members to observe February with programs and activities that promote awareness and prevention of teen dating violence in their communities.

The United Methodist Church’s Social Principle on Domestic Violence compels us to act:

"We recognize that family violence and abuse in all its forms — verbal, psychological, physical, sexual — is detrimental to the covenant of the human community. We encourage the church to provide a safe environment, counsel and support for the victim. While we deplore the action of the abuser, we affirm that person to be in need of God's redeeming love (2008 Book of Discipline, ¶161.G).

Get involved. Speak out. Encourage your community to take a stand against dating violence!

More information about dating violence is available from the following resources:

The Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project works collaboratively with other agencies and/or organizations on issues that affect women. Its partners include United Methodist Women, United Methodist General Commission on the Status & Role of Women, Women's Edge Coalition, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Religious Advocates Working Group, and International Family Planning Coalition.

More information about the project and GBCS’s activities is available at Women’s Concerns.

Women’s and Children’s Action Network

Todd supervises an “action network” that provides legislative updates, educational resources and identifies opportunities to act on issues. She issues action alerts periodically through e-mail on such topics as domestic violence, population growth, women’s, health, human trafficking, child marriage and child labor.

Joining the Women’s & Children’s Action Network is free: go to umpower.org or click on My GBCS on the General Board of Church & Society Web site, www.umc-gbcs.org. You can also contact Donna Brandyberry, (202) 488-5641.

Linda Bales Todd can be reached at (202) 488-5649.