Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
President Biden proclaimed this February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. In his Proclamation, the President states that “we stand with those who have known the pain and isolation of an abusive relationship, and we recommit to ending the cycle of teen dating violence that affects too many of our young people.”
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 11 female and about 1 in 15 male high school students report having experienced physical dating violence. About 1 in 9 female and 1 in 36 male high school students report having experienced sexual dating violence in the last year. Teen dating violence occurs between two people in a close relationship and can include physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Supporting the development of healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships can help reduce the occurrence of teen dating violence and prevent its harmful effects.
Visit the love is respect website during Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month to learn about prevention efforts, raise awareness, and access resources for victims of teen dating violence.
For additional resources on teen dating violence, visit the following websites:
- Office for Justice Programs: Teen Dating Violence
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Teen Dating Violence
- Girlshealth.gov: Healthy Relationships
National Consumer Protection Week, February 28 – March 6, 2021
National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) is a time dedicated to helping people understand their consumer rights and make well-informed decisions about money.
OVC joins the Federal Trade Commission and other federal agencies to help provide information on scams, identity theft, and other consumer protection issues. During NCPW, OVC highlights the following resources available to crime victim service providers to raise awareness and assist victims.
Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s NCPW website for resources for local press and social media outreach, information on planning events, and to subscribe for information about the latest scams and consumer protection issues.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website offers consumer tools which provide assistance on managing finances. Find guides about consumer rights and learn about common frauds and scams and how victims of fraud and identity theft can get help. Learn more on the Consumer Tools: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s website.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline, managed by OVC, helps adults ages 60 and older who may be victims of financial fraud through the process of reporting fraud. Call the hotline at 833–FRAUD–11 (833–372–8311) to receive personalized support from experienced case managers.
The OVC Training and Technical Assistance Center’s Victim Assistance Training Online is an online foundational training program that provides essential skills and knowledge to more effectively assist victims of crime. The training includes modules on cyber fraud, financial crimes, and identity theft. OVC TTAC also offers the Identity Theft Victim Assistance Online Training, which provides users the knowledge and skills to more effectively serve victims of identity theft and assist with their financial and emotional recovery.
Toolkit Offers Guidance on Addressing Vicarious Trauma
Vicarious trauma or exposure to traumatic events is an occupational challenge faced by victim services, emergency medical services, fire services, law enforcement, and other allied professionals.
Research shows that vicarious trauma, when left unaddressed, can lead to staff burnout, turnover, stress, and a lesser quality of services for victims. Organizations can mitigate the potentially negative effects of trauma exposure by becoming vicarious trauma-informed.
The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit offers guidance on how to address work-related exposure to trauma. The Blueprint for a Vicarious Trauma-Informed Organization section of the toolkit provides organizations with a step-by-step guide to help begin the process of becoming more trauma-informed.
View The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit to learn how to build organizational resilience.