[Gloversville, NY] The Family Counseling Center and its Fulton County Domestic Violence Program are recognizing February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a national effort to highlight the impact of abusive romantic relationships in the lives of teenagers.
Domestic abuse takes many forms including physical, emotional, verbal abuse, and more. Nationally, 1 in 3 teen girls will be physically, emotionally or verbally abused by their dating partner and 1 in 10 high school students (male and female) have been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by their partner. Studies show that 15.5 million children witness domestic violence annually and that by age 17 roughly one-third of children in the United States will have been exposed to some form of domestic abuse.
“February is a time to recognize the impact abusive relationships have in the lives of teenagers, but the work continues daily,” said Amanda Anderson, Interim Program Director of the Center’s Domestic Violence Program. “Teenagers are the most vulnerable population for domestic abuse. Our work today focuses on education, empowerment, and assistance to those seeking to leave an abusive relationship.”
The Family Counseling Center provides resources and services to those seeking assistance. Information may be found on their website at www.thefamilycounselingcenter.org and calls can be made to the organization’s 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline at 518.725.5300. Additional resources are listed below.
Resources
- For those seeking help specifically for teen dating violence, please call 1.866.331.9474 to text LOVEIS to 22522
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.7233
- Futures Without Violence: http://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/talk-teens-teen-dating-violence/
- Love is Respect: https://www.loveisrespect.org/
- More resources are available here: https://www.thefamilycounselingcenter.org/domestic-violence-resources/
The Family Counseling Center of Fulton County has been serving the community since 1976 and ensures a broad range of superior, quality, evidence-based, behavioral support and social services to the community. The Center is licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health, providing services to children as young as five years old. For more information about the Family Counseling Center, its services, or how you can become a volunteer, please go to www.thefamilycounselingcenter.org.
