A Teen's Handbook
Angela is dating Joe, a cute, charming, popular guy in her high school. He's very attentive and calls her several times a day; he wants to know where she is all the time, because he says he couldn't live without her. She's lucky; all her friends tell her so. Even her parents adore him. But nobody knows he's started talking down to her on a regular basis, and nobody knows he's getting more aggressive with each insult. All the while, Angela questions what she did wrong, and what she can do to make it right.
Sadly, relationships like this occur every day. There are less than adequate protection and education programs in place for adult and teen victims of this kind of abuse. Without education and outreach, teens often suffer in silence out of love, shame, fear of retaliation, or fear of not being believed. A survey commissioned by Liz Claiborne Inc. found that 31% of teenagers reported they or a friend experienced dating violence, and almost half were interested in more information on the issue.
To provide teens, and the adults who care about them, with the advice and the courage to break the silence on this difficult subject, Liz Claiborne Inc. is launching a teen dating violence awareness and education program. The program includes a free educational handbook.
"A Teen's Handbook: What You Need to Know About Dating Violence," follows the realistic story of teenagers Angela and Joe, who are involved in a violent dating relationship. Surrounding the couple is a circle of bystanders, some of whom are willing to risk speaking up and others who are reluctant to get involved. The story is interwoven with special sections that help teens identify warning signs of dating violence, discuss options for how and when friends can get involved, provide guidance to those involved in an abusive relationship, and debunk myths surrounding the issue. Also included are quotes from real teens, facts and statistics about dating violence and resources to help teens cope with the issue.
The Web site takes the story one step further with additional chapters that explore the motivations of Angela's and Joe's friends and families. The Web site, www.loveisnotabuse.com, allows readers to apply what they've learned through quizzes on teen dating abuse.
Click here to download the "Teen's Handbook" in Adobe Acrobat format.
Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
To order the handbook, please click here.
Handbook and Web Pages Help Teens Learn
about Dating Violence and Provide Facts,
Guidance and Resources
