Montgomery County has declared February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, highlighting the importance of educating young people about healthy relationships.
Smita Varia, acting director of the county’s Family Justice Center, shared that one in 11 Maryland teens has experienced physical abuse in a relationship. To address this, the Expect Respect program offers workshops for students in grades 6-12, teaching age-appropriate lessons on healthy friendships and dating relationships.
For middle schoolers, discussions focus on friendship red flags, such as bullying and harassment. For older teens, the program covers warning signs of toxic relationships, including love bombing (excessive early affection used for control), isolation from friends and family, and digital monitoring, like excessive texting or tracking messages.
Workshops also emphasize how to seek help and support a friend in an abusive relationship. Varia noted that leaving an abusive partner often takes multiple attempts, making ongoing support crucial.
To further raise awareness, the county is hosting a video contest for students in grades 6-12, with submissions due by Feb. 16. Winners will be announced at Respect Fest on April 6 at Wheaton Community Recreation Center.
Source
Photo: Getty