To support your library’s health programming strategy, here are February 2014 health programming ideas – brought to you by The Pulse, part of the Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center.
Why Focus on Teen Dating Violence Awareness?
Teen dating violence is a problem in every community in this country. One-third of all teens and young adults are victims of some kind of dating violence, whether physical, emotional, sexual, or digital – a rate that is much higher than any other type of teen violence. Sadly, only one-third of victims ever tell anyone and most teens and adults aren’t aware that dating violence is such a significant issue for teens. Clearly, an information gap exists, but fortunately with Valentine’s Day a big focus, February is set aside for Teen Dating Violence Awareness.
Whether you are looking for quick links to trustworthy statistics, teen programming ideas, a good book club idea, or ready-to-go publicity tools, bringing Teen Violence Awareness Month to your library will be easy with this collection of free online resources presented to you here from Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center:
Quick and Easy
For Teens
- Love and Respect: A Guide Developed by Teens in New Mexico: Quizzes, Word Search, Crossword and more.
- What You Need to Know About Dating Violence: A Teen Handbook
- You Are Not Alone: Domestic Violence and Dating Abuse Resource Guide
- Love Doesn’t Have to Hurt – Teens Brochure
- Healthy Relationship Quiz
- Does Something About Your Relationship Scare You: Quiz
- Love is Respect: Quiz Card
- Stop Dating Violence: Dating Pledge Cards
Featured Resources
Books
- Teen Dating Violence: Non-Fiction
- Teen Dating Violence: Fiction
Trustworthy Online Resources
- American Bar Association (ABA): Teen Dating Violence: Prevention Recommendations
- Love Is Not Abuse Coalition (LINA): Dating Violence Statistics
- National Center for Victims of Crime:
- National Criminal Justice Reference Center:
- Teen Dating Violence
- National Institute of Justice: Teen Dating Violence: A Closer Look at Adolescent Romantic Relationships
- Office for Victims of Crime: Teen Dating Violence
- White House: 1 is 2 Many
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- National Center for Victims of Crime: Dating Violence
- GirlsHealth: Relationships
- Teens Health:
- WomensHealth: Dating Violence
- WebMD: Teen Relationship Abuse
Book Club
Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Penguin, 2000
From the Publisher: Rogerson Biscoe, with his green eyes and dark curly hair, is absolutely seductive. Before long, sixteen-year-old Caitlin finds herself under his spell. And when he starts to abuse her, she finds she’s in too deep to get herself out.”
- Author Website
- Author Blog
- Reading Guide from Penguin
- Dreamland Book Discussion Kit
- Print Friendly Excerpt
Tie In: Teen Anti-Valentine’s Day Party
Host a Teen Anti-Valentine’s Day Party at your library, and tie in Dating Violence Awareness Month.
Anti-Valentine’s Day Party Ideas
- Anti-Valentine’s Day Playlists
- Activity Ideas
- Photo Booth Props
- Black Duct Tape Rose
- Romance Novel Cover Parodies
- Decorate Heart-Shaped Cookies with Anti-Valentine’s Sentiments, like “Cupid is Stupid” for example.
- Anti-Valentine Nail Polish
- Smash a Heart-Shaped Pinata
- Decoration Ideas
- Tie In Ideas
- When teens arrive, hand out one of the printable quizzes from the Quick and Easy section above. At the end discuss the answers and give a prize to the teens with the highest scores.
- Watch Reviving Ophelia and talk about it with the Teen Discussion Guide
Community Resources
Publicity Resources
- The Emily Fund for a Better World:
- Love is Respect: National Youth Advisory Board Respect Week 2013 Guide
- Sample Announcement, p. 3
- Plan a “Wear Orange” Day, p. 4-5
- Host an Information Table, p. 6
- Hold a Candlelight Vigil, p. 7
- Love is Respect – Sign up for 2014 Publicity Resources and Toolkits
Fun Stuff and Cool Tools
Goof off at the reference desk and amaze your friends on Twitter . . . OR add a fun, interactive experience to a library program and enhance your library website with these fun and interesting links:
- Quizzes from Love is Respect:
- Live Chat:
- Personal Safety Apps:
- E-card to send: Love Doesn’t Have to Hurt
