February is recognized nationally as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of unhealthy and abusive relationships among young people.

Led by organizations such as love is respect and supported by initiatives from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, this month encourages communities to have honest conversations about respect, boundaries, consent, and healthy communication. Teen dating violence affects millions of adolescents each year, yet it often goes unrecognized or unreported. By increasing education, promoting prevention efforts, and empowering teens to seek help, we can work together to build relationships rooted in safety, respect, and equality.

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to unhealthy and abusive relationship dynamics, and the statistics around teen dating violence paint a concerning picture. Research shows that about 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from a dating partner before adulthood, with roughly 1.5 million high school students physically abused by a partner each year and around 10 % reporting being purposefully hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year (nsvrc.org). Emotional and psychological abuse is even more widespread, with a large portion of teens reporting controlling, insulting, or belittling behaviors from a partner.

Youth often miss critical warning signs of unhealthy relationships because abuse doesn’t always leave visible marks. Common red flags include partners who monitor or control communication and social interactions, criticize or belittle their partner, isolate them from friends and family, pressure them sexually, or use threats and intimidation. Because many teens lack life experience and education around healthy boundaries, these behaviors can be normalized or overlooked until the relationship has become harmful.

Violence prevention and education among youth is critical in breaking the cycle of unhealthy relationships before patterns become lifelong behaviors. Programs supported by organizations such as WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs, emphasize teaching young people about healthy boundaries, consent, emotional regulation, and respectful communication early on. When teens are equipped with this knowledge, they are better able to recognize red flags, seek help sooner, and make informed choices about the relationships they enter.

Prevention education has been shown to reduce rates of dating violence, sexual risk behaviors, substance misuse, and future intimate partner violence in adulthood. It also strengthens protective factors such as self-confidence, conflict-resolution skills, and peer support. By investing in prevention, we not only improve teens’ immediate safety and well-being, but we also help lay the foundation for healthier adult relationships, stronger families, and more resilient communities in the future.

WRAP places a strong emphasis on prevention among youth through its Youth Program and implementation of the Not a Number curriculum in schools and youth-serving settings. Pre- and post-program surveys demonstrate meaningful growth in students’ knowledge and confidence. After completing the program, youth showed significant increases in understanding how trafficking occurs, recognizing grooming tactics, identifying unhealthy and controlling behaviors, and knowing how and where to seek help.

Awareness that exploitation can happen within their own communities rose dramatically, and the number of students who reported having a safety plan for risky situations more than doubled. Overall, participants experienced an average improvement of nearly 13% across knowledge, attitudes, and safety-related behaviors–highlighting the measurable impact of early, targeted prevention education.

This work is closely connected to the prevention of teen dating violence. Many of the warning signs of trafficking–such as manipulation, isolation, coercion, and control–mirror the dynamics seen in unhealthy dating relationships. By helping young people recognize red flags, set boundaries, and build healthy relationship skills, WRAP’s education efforts address the root behaviors that can escalate into teen dating violence or exploitation.

National data consistently show that a significant percentage of identified trafficking victims are under the age of 18, underscoring the urgency of early intervention. By equipping youth with awareness, confidence, and access to trusted support, WRAP strengthens protective factors that reduce vulnerability, foster healthy relationships, and contribute to safer, more informed communities for all.

— Becci tenBensel is executive director of Womens Rural Advocacy Programs