Helpline Created For Teen Violence Victims
POSTED: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
HOUSTON -- Dating can not only be difficult but also dangerous for some young women. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the most violent dating relationships occur between the ages of 16 and 24.A new move is under way to help young girls and women find their way out, and the Internet plays a big part, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.Suhani Desai, 19, said the stories she hears on a teen dating abuse helpline have made her rethink some things."In high school or junior high school, when I would see things like this, I couldn't really pinpoint what it was -- if it was abuse," she said. "People who do call us don't know they are being abused or being controlled. They just think he loves me and that is why he is doing this."Clearing up the definition of a healthy relationship is just one of the goals behind the new lifeline."I don't think that people realize the same level of violence, manipulation, controlling behavior in an adult relationship can occur in a teen dating abuse relationship. We see that play out in different ways," said Candice Kesling, a helpline operations manager.It requires a different approach to the problem. So, the dating helpline was started last month."A helpline is about more -- giving information, support and guidance," Kesling said.Volunteers and counselors do that by speaking in a language young women can understand."We know they love text messaging and instant messaging and all sorts of things, so we are trying to meet them where they are at," Kesling said.In addition to the 24-hour phone line, teens and 20-somethings answer a live chat through www.loveisrespect.org from 4 p.m. until midnight.The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is based out of Austin and created by the same people who started the National Domestic Violence Hotline.More Information:
Copyright 2007 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- www.loveisrespect.org: Web chats www.seeitandstopit.org: Tip Sheet For Parents, Friends Date Violence Resource Center: Tip Sheet For Parents, Friends www.loveisnotabuse.com: Lesson Plans Peace Over Violence Bradley-Angle House: Curriculum and Posters Available Discovery School: Lesson Plans Safe State: Preventing Crime and Violence
Copyright 2007 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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