Resources for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Teen dating violence is serious and can negatively impact a student's mental health and academics, which is why the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is a partner on the Teen Dating Violence Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council that provides resources and supports to educators and families.

Find more information about this topic and ongoing training and resources on our Teen Dating Violence Prevention webpage. 

During Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month in February, there are several ways you can get involved to spread helpful information and learn more. 

Teen dating violence (TDV) is a pattern of violent or manipulative behaviors by a partner (or ex-partner) to gain power and maintain control in a relationship. TDV can happen online or in person and includes physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, financial violence and stalking.

For San Diego students who responded in a 2019 San Diego Unified School District Youth Risk Behavior Survey, one in 16 experience physical violence, one in 10 experience sexual violence, and one in five experience emotional violence. These rates more than double for lesbian, gay, and bisexual students. 

During the month of February, communities nationwide take a stand against TDV by spreading awareness and prevention education to address relationship violence and there are some things you can do.

How to Get Involved

Attend the Preventing Teen Dating Violence in Schools Webinar

San Diego area teen leaders will be addressing questions and sharing insights about today's teen dating violence in a free webinar from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 13. Register for Preventing Teen Dating Violence in Schools session and hear about topics such as how adults and school staff can better support teens, how TDV affects teens, and how TDV happens online. The webinar is hosted by SDCOE and the Teen Dating Violence Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council for school administrators, school counselors, teachers, school social workers, ASB advisors, and coaches. 

Host an information table with resources

• 10 Healthy/Unhealthy Relationship Signs
• Relationship Bill of Rights
• Healthy LGBTQ+ Relationships

Wear Orange Day on Feb. 7 

• Wear something orange and use it as an opportunity to help raise awareness about teen dating violence
• Or tell us what "LOVE IS...." with a selfie or a group picture of you with friends/family/co-workers all wearing orange and use #tdvamteamorange

Engage students with the Relationship Spectrum Activity

• For high school students
• For middle school students

Tips to Start the Conversation with Students

Build Rapport

It takes time to build trust; youth may open up about their relationships as they are comfortable. If they don't want to talk to you, is there someone else they feel comfortable with?

Disclose Your Status 

Before you engage youth in a conversation, always disclose if you are a mandated reporter and what that means.

The Goal isn't Disclosure

It is okay if a young person does not want to disclose. The goal is to create a space where students know they can talk to you without judgment or go to you for resources and support.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Create opportunities to check in with them and ask open-ended questions like, "I've noticed you've been struggling to pay attention in class - what's on your mind lately?"

Validate Their Experiences

Let them know they did not deserve to experience abuse and the abuse is not their fault. Don't minimize the effect the abuse is having on the student.

Involve Them

If they disclose, share what local resources are available to them and support them in their choices. Ask them how they want to move forward.

Connect Students with Community Resources

Center for Community Solutions
Region: Central, East County, North County Inland
Services for teens: Confidential therapy and advocacy
24/7 Hotline: 888-385-4657

South Bay Community Services
Region: South Bay
Services for teens: Counseling, emergency shelter, case management
24/7 Hotline: 800- 640-2933

Community Resource Center
Region: North County Coastal
Services for teens: Counseling
24/7 Hotline: 877-633-1112

WRC
Region: North County Coastal
Services for teens: Counseling
24/7 Hotline: 760-757-3500

San Diego Family Justice Center - Your Safe Place
Region: All San Diego County
Services for teens: Confidential safety planning, counseling, advocacy, legal assistance, social services, shelter assistance
Phone: 619-533-6000

To request resources or a training, contact the Teen Dating Violence Committee of the San Diego Domestic Violence Council.