“The most important thing I learned from KBEP was to be who you are not who people want you to be.” - 7th Grade Morton Middle
“I learned that if your relationship is unhealthy, you REALLY need to talk to someone about it.” - Massachusetts 8th Grader
Youth relationship violence, such as bullying and dating violence an issue with no easy solution, but one of the best ways to prevent relationship violence in young people is with parental guidance and support.
Unfortunately, not all young people not talking with their parents and caregivers about violence. A Liz Claiborne study noted that two in three daughters surveyed say they have not had a conversation with their parents about the issue of dating violence. For us at KBEP, this is concerning. Approximately one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner (CDC, FVPF).
The other side of this dynamic is reluctance or lack of awareness on the part of parents in discussing this issue with their children. Another Liz Claiborne report indicated that 81% of parents surveyed believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit that they don’t know if it is an issue. KBEP applauds you for seeking the information so that you can be a source of support and guidance for your child(ren).
KBEP offers many workshops and resources to help caregivers discuss relationship violence with their children.
To learn more, please contact our Program Director, Angela Marandola, at amarandola@kbep.org or 508-678-4466.