February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and local domestic abuse advocate says the statistics and trends regarding teens and dating violence are alarming.
Jennifer Tolladay with DeWitt County DOVE says roughly 1.5-million teens are impacted by teen dating violence each year. She indicates teen dating violence often can encompass sexual assault and that brings a new dynamic to the abuse that can go on.
When abuse is happening in a relationship involving youth, Tolladay says very few people will come forward and tell someone. She adds another alarming trend is the number of times a partner will reach out to their significant other through text or call.
Over-the-top signs of jealousy are an early indicator of a relationship that could turn abusive. Tolladay says while some jealousy is OK, there are signs that a jealous individual may be more than just a little jealous and might show patterns of abusive behavior.
According to Tolladay, giving up the things you want to do what the other person wants to do while being belittled is a sign of a possible abusive partner.
Tolladay addressed teen dating violence on the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday. For more information on this, you can contact DOVE at 217-935-6619 or contact DOVE's 24-hour hotline at 217-935-6072.
