Join the Student Health and Counseling Center in recognition of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month for February 2020.

Dating violence is more common than many people think. Nearly half (43%) of college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors. One in three (36%) dating college students have given a dating partner their computer, email or social network passwords and these students are more likely to experience digital dating abuse. College students do not have the tools to deal with dating abuse — 57% say it is difficult to identify and 58% say they don’t know how to help someone who’s experiencing it. Violent relationships can have serious ramifications by putting the victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence.

By joining together every February, we can spread awareness and stop dating abuse before it starts. You can find more information on this topic at loveisrepect.org. This is a helpful website that covers how to help a friend, how to help yourself and offers relationship guides and resources.

If you want to know more or have concerns this may be happening to someone you know, please contact our Confidential Campus Survivor Advocate Mindy Kates at 559.278.6796 or survivoradvocate@csufresno.edu. The Student Health and Counseling Center offers the campus community a bystander intervention training called STEP UP. You can request this training for yourself, your office or classroom by clicking here.

The Marjaree Mason Center is Fresno County’s local resource for those affected by dating/domestic violence. They have a 24-hour Crisis Hotline at 559.233.HELP (4357). You can also request presentations for your class, office or organization on topics such as DV101— How to identify Domestic Violence and/or Healthy Relationships.

From 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Thomas Building Room 110, we will host our first workshop on Healing through Expression. This would be great for anyone healing from relationship violence or other trauma.

For more information or accommodations contact the Cross Cultural and Gender Center at 559.278.4435 or ccgcgender@mail.fresnostate.edu.