February is National Awareness Month of Teen Dating Violence.
Gloria Armstrong, a Medical Advocate Specialist with VOICE (Victim Outreach Intervention Center) in Butler says awareness is important. She says 1 in 5 teens in the U.S. experience physical, emotional or sexual abuse with someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults.
Armstrong says if someone feels controlled and/or afraid to speak up in a relationship, they could potentially be in an abusive situation. She also says the goal of an abusive person is to overpower the victim by using manipulative tactics.
The services of VOICE are free, open to the public, and confidential. Their free, 24-hour hot line is 1-800-400 -8551.
For more information, or help, visit www.voiceforvictims.com.
Photo by gfpeck
