Teen Dating - Safe Dating,Healthy Relationships and Parent Resources

	Did you know that most teens in our community are in healthy relationships? Actually, almost nine out of ten teens in San Juan County report never having used violence against their dating partner in the past year (2007 YRRS). It seems that we hear so much about teen dating violence that sometimes teens who are in caring, loving relationships are forgotten. Or sometimes, teens end up in unhealthy relationships simply because they do not know what it means to be in a healthy relationship. Farmington Municipal Schools, in collaboration with Family Crisis Center, Desert View Counseling Center and Sexual Assault Services, realize that teens need information about healthy relationships, unhealthy relationships, sexual abuse and teen dating violence, which is why this website is available to parents, students, teachers, and anyone interested in learning more. Go to Teen Resources for additional information and support around dating abuse and other issues they face. Parents: go to Parent Zone for additional information about teen dating violence. Hotline Phone Numbers: Family Crisis Center 24 Hour Hotline 505-564-9192 Sexual Assault Services 24 Hour Hotline 505-326-4700 National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474 National Teen Dating Abuse Chat Line then click on "Live Chat" LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) Lifeline 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386) National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-7255)

	Click here to find out the answer

	Click here for a REALITY CHECK Click here to see if you are being ABUSED Click here to see if you are being ABUSIVE

	How can you tell if you are dating an abusive person? Know the RED FLAGS and be aware of what abusive behaviors are. Click here to learn the RED FLAGS.

	Good Relationships: Click here to see what it means to be in a healthy relationship. In fact, did you know you have rights in a dating relationship? Click here for the TEEN BILL OF RIGHTS Bad Relationships: Click here to see what should NOT be happening in loving relationships. If any of these things are going on, you are not in an equal, healthy relationship.

	You may begin to see RED FLAGS, that one of your friends is being abused. You cannot always “save” friends. There are some things you can do to help them. Click here for some helpful tips when talking to friends.

	#1 thing is to remember it is not your fault. Dating abuse happens to a lot of teens. Know you are not alone. Breaking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend might be really hard because you may love them. Know that if someone is abusive, is usually gets worse. You deserve a healthy relationship. You can find someone who treats you like you deserve. Talk to a trusted adult. Breaking up can be a dangerous time for someone in an abusive relationship. Plan for your safety. Click here for some tips for emotional and physical safety during a break up with an abusive person. Click here to download a Toolkit for Teen Dating Violence

	Click here to download a Toolkit for Teen Dating Violence

	These sites will provide teens with additional information and support around dating abuse and other issues they face. www.desertviewsas.org Desert View Family Counseling www.knowtheredflags.org Designed to help young adults form healthy relationships by learning to spot and deal with the warning signs of dating violence. www.breakthecycle.org Break the Cycle engages, educates, and empowers youth to build lives and communities free from domestic and dating violence. www.teenwire.com teenwire.com is an award-winning sexual health Web site for teens committed to giving them the facts about sex so that they can use this information to make their own responsible choices. www.thedatesafeproject.org The Date Safe Project is committed to being the nation’s leading organization for teaching how “asking first” makes all the difference in creating safer intimacy and in decreasing occurrences of sexual assault. www.glnh.org/talkline The GLBT National Youth Talkline provides peer counseling via telephone and email for gay and questioning teens. www.chooserespect.org Chooserespect.org focuses on preventing dating abuse by educating 11-14 year olds about healthy relationships. www.seeitandstopit.org Seeitandstopit.org addresses ways teens can work against dating abuse in their everyday actions. www.1800runaway.org The National Runaway Switchboard offers a 24/7 hotline for runaway teens or teens that are thinking about running away. www.hopeline.com The National Hopeline Network operates a 24/7 suicide hotline and information about depression and suicide through it’s website. www.thesafespace.org A project of Break the Cycle, thesafespace.org is the most comprehensive resource on the web where teens and young adults can learn about domestic and dating violence, as well as their legal rights and options. www.ndvh.org The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides support and advocacy to adult victims of domestic violence. www.sasnwnm.org Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico

	Sometimes it is hard for parents to understand teen dating violence. Perhaps you believe teens should not be dating seriously, or at all. It can be hard to talk to a teen about dating. It may be even harder to talk to them about teen dating violence. The reality is that it is happening to teens in our area. As many as 1 in 10 New Mexico teens have been a victim of physical violence (NMYRRS, 2007). Parents, below are some handouts to help guide you in talking to the teen in your life. It could be the one of most important talks you have with them. Click here for a guidebook to talk with your teens. Click here for tips for supporting teens.