National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Week

February 2 - 6 is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week for 2009. In 2006, Congress first passed legislation that the first week in February would be designated to focus on this important issue facing our teens. Less than one week after its first observance, Jennifer Ann Crecente - a high school honors student - was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Our group is dedicated to her memory.

What you can do

Add our videos to your blog or website.
Sign our online poll to support legislation to STOP Teen Dating Violence.
Play and Share our online game to educate teens about some of the warning signs of an abusive relationship.
Use our banners, widgets, and themes.
Participate in our online forum.
Learn the warning signs of a potentially abusive relationship.

On Facebook

Join our event on Facebook to show you support efforts to prevent Teen Dating Violence.
Change your profile image to our image on Facebook for the week.
Change your status on Facebook to "...is donating his (her) status to Jennifer Ann's Group for National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week. Ask me what you can do to help."
Become a "fan" of Jennifer Ann's Group on Facebook.

If you are a "fan" and use our image on Facebook you could win a $25 gift certificate for Amazon! We will randomly select one winner from those eligible every day from February 2 - 6, 2009.

A few statistics

44% of all students have been in an abusive relationship by the time they graduate from college. (cited)

Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls have report having been physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. (cited)

58% of rape victims report being raped between the ages of 12 - 24. (cited)

1 in 3 teens report knowing a peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, or physically hurt by their dating partner. (cited)

Teen Dating Violence is an equal opportunity problem. It does not discriminate based on gender, race, sexual preference, or socioeconomic status.