Resources for Teens and Adults
Local Resources
SafePlace's Expect Respect Program engages teens and adults in building safe and healthy relationships. Expect Respect offers support groups for boys and girls, youth leadership programs, training for school personnel and outreach to parents and community members.
Online Resources
Choose Respect
Choose Respect is a national campaign to motivate adolescents to challenge harmful beliefs about dating abuse and to take steps to form respectful relationships. The website has useful information for teens, parents and teachers, including: fact sheets, television and radio spots, videos for teens and parents, a teacher discussion guide, activity ideas, and clickable quizzes that inspire youth to choose respect.
That's Not Cool
Thatsnotcool.com is an interactive website for youth that aims to raise awareness about digital dating abuse. It addresses problems like unwanted and disrespectful texting, pressuring for nude pictures, and breaking into someone's e-mail or social networking page. The site includes a discussion board, videos, and callout cards.
A Thin Line
Sponsored by MTV, this campaign aims to stop the spread of digital abuse among teenagers by tackling issues like sexting, textual harassment and cyberbullying. A Thin Line is designed to raise awareness and spark conversation so that youth can recognize, respond to, and stop digital abuse on their cell phones and the Web.
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline offers real-time, one-on-one support from peer advocates for youth, parents, teachers, clergy, law enforcement, and service providers. The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is a 24-hour resource that can be accessed by phone or the internet, specifically designed for teens and young adults. Call 866.331.9474 ; 866.331.8453 TTY.
Love Is Respect
Love is Respect, sponsored by Liz Claiborne, Inc., provides activities and campaigns for youth.
Love Is Not Abuse
Liz Claiborne's other site provides information and tools for men, women, and teens concerned with ending domestic violence. Visit the “Just for Teens” section of the website for valuable information on subjects like relationship abuse, warning signs, talking to adults, breaking up, girl/guy talk and lots more or check out the Love Is Not Abuse curriculum. Seeking to help parents take a more proactive role in preparing their teens for relationships, Liz Claiborne launched MADE: Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse.
Break the Cycle
Break the Cycle engages, educates and empowers youth to build lives and communities free from domestic and dating violence. Break the Cycle programs provide help, tools and information to help young people live violence-free lives. The SafeSpace (a project of Break the Cycle) is a great resource for teens seeking information and support. Visit: http://www.thesafespace.org to see for yourself.
Think B4 You Speak
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teens experience homophobic remarks and harassment throughout the school day, creating an atmosphere where they feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe. Homophobic remarks such as “that's so gay” are the most commonly heard. Thinkb4youspeak.com aims to raise awareness about homophobia in America's schools and to create a more positive environment for LGBT teens. The site includes fact sheets, discussion boards, ecards, personal stories and videos, and ideas for taking action.
Coaching Boys Into Men
Athletic coaches play an extremely influential role in the lives of boys and young men. Because of these special relationships, coaches can have a powerful and positive influence on how young men think and behave both on, and off, the field. The Coaching Boys Into Men campaign invites men to teach boys to build respectful and non-violent relationships. Violence never equals strength.
Men Can Stop Rape
Men Can Stop Rape mobilizes boys and young men to prevent men's violence against women. Young men are taught to rethink traditional ideas about masculinity and male strength and to see themselves as allies to women and girls in supporting gender equality in relationships.
GLSEN
GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, aims to ensure safe schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. GLSEN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the positive contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. GLSEN works to educate teachers, students and the public at large about the damaging effects of homophobia and heterosexism on youth and adults alike.
Family Violence Prevention Fund
The Family Violence Prevention Fund is doing innovative work to address teen dating violence across the nation. Through work with teens, teachers, parents, coaches, and public service campaigns, the FVPF helps to stop relationship violence before it ever begins. The website includes fact sheets, resources on creating a teen safety plan, and more valuable information on the issue of teen dating violence.
Know the Red Flags
Know the Red Flags is a project of the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) and is designed to help teens and young adults form healthy relationships by learning to spot and deal with the warning signs of dating violence. The website includes facts and Texas specific statistics about dating abuse, a relationship quiz, news and tools, links to other on-line resources, PSAs, and a helpful Q&A section.
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)
The Texas Association Against Sexual Assault recognizes that it is extremely important that teens play a major role in ending sexual violence.