City of Tempe Mayor Corey Woods signed a proclamation declaring February 2025 as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
Members of the University student body stressed the importance of this often-overlooked subject, while the city organized various events to promote awareness.
"Teen dating violence is a serious public health problem that is common among adolescents and young adults ages 10-24 and is the most prevalent type of youth violence, in which approximately 10% of adolescents across the US report being a victim of physical dating violence annually," according to the proclamation, signed on Feb 6.
Teairstayn Jones, a third-year doctoral student studying criminology and criminal justice, conducts research focused on sexual assault on college campuses. Jones said she hopes to eventually find solutions to prevent gendered violence through her research.
Jones said there can be adolescents who are victims of teen dating violence without realizing it. She said while some partners use safety as justification, it can still be abusive.
"One of the most common ones (concerning behavior) is having a partner who's constantly monitoring your social media or your location," Jones said.
She also said some partners may use jealousy as an excuse for abusive, controlling behavior and to justify isolating their partners from friends, family and social media.
Jones noted there might be a higher risk for dating violence on college campuses.
"When you get to college, there's a lot more freedom in what you're doing — you're away from some of your social support networks," Jones said. "Consider the impacts that it can have on the individuals who are experiencing the abusive relationships."
Jones said there are many signs someone could be experiencing dating violence — including worsening mental health that could impact adult relationships and intimacy. Jones also said students experiencing this form of abuse could have "lower educational outcomes."
"Especially if the partner is at the same school, there may be higher rates of school absences due to feeling unsafe," Jones said.
Max Andreas, the director of engagement for Devils in the Bedroom at ASU and a sophomore studying anthropology, said the issue of teen dating violence is not spoken about enough and is glad Tempe is focusing on it this month.
Andreas said Devils in the Bedroom is working with fraternities and sororities to foster healthy environments and educate students on sexual violence.
As part of this initiative, Devils in the Bedroom held a presentation at Tau Psi Omega's annual sexy showcase on Feb. 11.
READ MORE: Video: Tau Psi Omega Hosts Annual Sexy Showcase in Tempe
"We have a lot of people sharing experiences that are, unfortunately, a lot more common than a lot of people realize," Andreas said.
Andreas said there is a significant stigma surrounding teen dating violence, particularly due to the age of victims and the combined lack of resources for minors. This absence of awareness in adolescents can leave them without the support they need to recognize and address unhealthy relationships.
"If anything, more high schools and middle schools need to be talking more about teen dating violence and having those things in their curriculum," Andreas said.
READ MORE: Devils in the Bedroom destigmatizes sexual education, focuses on creating safe space
Maria Gonzalez and Anastasia Stinchfield, both senior social services coordinators for Tempe, have worked to address teen dating violence and promote building healthy relationships in K-12 school settings.
CARE 7 Youth Specialists, placed in all Tempe Union High Schools and several Tempe Elementary schools, play a vital role in the well-being of students. During this month, the youth specialists have focused on tabling events, presentations and support groups.
"One of our sections focuses specifically on relationships, whether it's with parents, with peers (or) with teachers," Gonzalez said. "It is an eight-week curriculum on relationships. We hit it hard."
This month, the city is highlighting Tempe’s Family Advocacy Center.
"Our mission year-round is to make sure that services are available anytime people need them, and that was the genesis of the Family Advocacy Center," Stinchfield said. "Making sure that there's a safe, confidential place to go for any victim of crime in Tempe."
Gonzalez said the success of these services is due to the unique relationships within Tempe that allow school districts, the Tempe Police Department and city workers can come together and collaborate.
"The ability and the strengths that we have as a city, and the resources and the relationships, is what makes this all work," Gonzalez said. "(It) is really incredibly helpful, and I think it's successful."
Stinchfield emphasized the importance of teaching students these topics.
"These are our next professionals," Stinchfield said. "These are our next mothers (and) fathers, right? So we're preparing them to be those adults that we are now."
Editors Note: If you or someone you know is dealing with dating violence, here are some resources:
Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) OR 800-799-7233
Text "Start" to 88788
Edited by George Headley, Sophia Ramirez, Tiya Talwar, Alexis Heichman and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at vcruzbut@asu.edu and follow @valeriacbutron on X.
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