In the United States, they have dedicated a full week to teen dating violence and prevention. Many people don’t know much about or acknowledge teen dating violence, and those who do see it and acknowledge it are committed to supporting victims of teen, and even preteen, dating abuse among boys and girls. National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week has become an essential tool in educating preteens and teens about dating violence, which includes verbal abuse just as much as physical.

It is a sad reality that abuse in young relationships arises frequently, even as early as the age of 11. This is even more disturbing when thinking of boys and girls at that age being sexually active. The earlier that they become sexually active, the more likely preteens and teens are to be physically and/or emotionally abused. Then this abuse sets a pattern that plays out over and over during their lifetime, which is hard to break.

In New York, the Putnam Women’s Center is going to be visiting high schools during the week throughout the county, educating young ones about what dating abuse is and advising them not to get involved in a relationship that is abusive. Meghan McCarthy, the new Community Education and Volunteer Coordinator for the Women’s Center, said that their goal is to have mature talks with the students about this issue.

Putnam Women’s Center is not the only group who is working around the country to help prevent teen dating violence, with Bill McCollum, the Attorney General, joining a family yesterday in Florida whose daughter, Tiffany Barwick, was murdered, along with her friend, by the 19-year-old’s ex-boyfriend.