Business Leaders Collaborate With Abuse Prevention Group To Combat Teen Dating Violence

By Mariko Lamb, Talk Radio News Service

Teen dating violence has risen in the U.S. since the start of the economic recession, according to D.C. based psychologist Dr. Ruth Zitner. Zitner, who spoke at a press conference held by representatives from Family Violence Prevention Fund, Liz Clairborne Inc. and Macy’s, attributed the rise of violence to the numerous financial problems facing families, stating that teens who are exposed to parental arguments about finances struggle with distinguishing basic warning signs of teen dating violence in their own relationships.

The press conference coincided with the release of a report by Teenage Research Unlimited. The report concluded that one in three teens report variations of physical and sexual dating abuse.

Macy’s Marketing Director of the RESPECT! Campaign, Holly Thomas, explained Macys’ role in the efforts to prevent teen dating abuse in a press conference today.  “We are going to continue working with the Family Violence Prevention Fund on how we can extend parenting tools and how we can really take them into communities in a meaningful way,” Thomas said.  

Jane Randel, Vice President of Corporate Communications for Liz Claiborne, Inc., emphasized the disconnect of communication between teens and parents regarding the issue of teen dating violence.  Randel promoted resources such as Giverespect.org, loveisnotabuse.com, and loveisrespect.org as concrete teaching tools available for parents to talk to their teens about identifying warning signs and dealing with abusive teen relationships.

MADE, an organization inspired by parents of victims of dating abuse, has helped introduce legislation to promote a mandatory teen dating violence curriculum in all U.S. middle schools and high schools.  The coalition encourages the mobilization of citizens to promote education efforts in schools and provide resources for parents to teach their teens about dating violence and abuse.