February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness month

When we think of February, we probably think cold temperatures, Ground Hog Day, Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day, all which are true. 

I have another thought about February. It’s also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to stop and think about love, relationships and RESPECT, specifically for the teens, preteens and those in early adulthood. Unconditional love and a healthy relationship is a blessing of a lifetime and one that all men and women deserve, no matter their age.

What kind of a dating partner are you? Are you kind, caring, considerate of others’ feelings; respectful of your partner’s boundaries and right to be an individual; a good communicator and compromiser? It’s really not hard and the reward is a loving, safe and peaceful co-existence with each other; one that could last for a lifetime and be very rewarding.

Partners should be able to go out with friends, have their privacy, their own likes and dislikes, spend time the way they choose, not sharing passwords to online accounts or phones, not have to let their partner view texts, listen to voicemails or read on line posts. 

Lastly, your partner should NEVER hit or slap you or force you to have sex or do sexual things that you don’t want to do.

If any of these things are happening in your relationship, you need to tell someone, a trusted adult, parent, aunt, uncle, teacher, counselor at school or your minister. Let someone know before it becomes dangerous.

Remember, you can choose what you want in a relationship, and you can also choose to be the kind of person that someone else would want to have a relationship with. You can set a good example for your friends and younger siblings. Choose respect and talk with friends and family about healthy relationships.

If you have concerns about your relationship or you’re concerned about a friend, you can stop at or call Hands of Hope Resource Center, it’s free, CONFIDENTIAL and compassionate conversation about what’s happening. We can help with resources, safety planning and support counseling. 

We are located in the Main Street Government Center in Long Prairie, across from the post office, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays we are in Staples at the Government Center-Todd County Health and Human Services, 200 1st St NE, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

You can call our crisis line at 1-800-682-4547 or our office number at 320-732-2319, or visit our website at handsofhope.net.