While recent data suggests around one in ten teens are involved in a teen dating violence circumstance, local professionals are hoping to empower that group of young people to find the strength to get out.

Jill Maxey is the Executive Director of Willow Tree Missions in Piatt County and implores young people that they deserve the respect of a significant other and they are entitled to privacy online.

Parents can play a role in helping their teens involved in these circumstances. Andrea Kocher with DOVE Inc. of Piatt County echoes Maxey's comments and stresses these things are why parents need to remain involved with their child's online activity.

Piatt County Schools Resource Officer with the Piatt County Sheriff's Office, Dep. Lindsey Bross says there are phone apps to help monitor what you're kids are doing online.

Dep. Bross encourages having conversations about transparency early on with your children so you're not all of a sudden approaching them with suspicion. She feels this builds a foundation of mutual trust. 

Next week on Regional Radio, we'll wrap up this topic with how to provide help for teens in these circumstances.