When a teenager or parent notices warning signs that a dating relationship may not be safe, the Family Crisis Center (FCC) in Great Bend is available to help in a number of ways.

In observance of National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February, FCC Executive Director Kylee Graves is sharing information about local and national resources.

“We offer guidance one-on-one and during support-group sessions, as well as in high schools throughout our service area,” Graves said. “While we have interacted with many students, we are eager to branch out to reach teenagers in all 21 high schools in our 11-county service area.”

The FCC offers the “Safe Dates” curriculum, which has five components.

These components are: a 10-session dating-abuse curriculum, with each session lasting about 45 minutes; a play about dating abuse; media-message contest; family-discussion guides; and an evaluation questionnaire.

Topics include: defining caring relationships and dating abuse; helping friends; overcoming gender stereotypes; equal power through communication; and preventing sexual assault.

Six- and four-session programs are available too.

“We demonstrate examples of what it looks like to be in a healthy relationship, as well as what it looks like to be in an unhealthy relationship,” Graves summarized. “When appropriate, we provide resources for teens to use if they determine their relationship is unhealthy.”

In a one-on-one setting, the FCC offers age-appropriate information about sexual or domestic violence; individualized safety planning; validation of the survivor’s experience; help with building coping skills; and human-trafficking assistance.

FCC’s Domestic & Sexual Violence Center representatives can meet with a minor up to three times without a parent present. For more information, call 620-793-9941 or the 24-hour hotline, 866-792-1885.

Resources/statistics

According to a message from the director of “love is respect,” a teenager deserves to be seen, heard and supported.

“Love is respect” is a national organization that addresses teen-dating violence and other issues.

The teen-dating month observance is “not just about awareness; it’s about support too – real support from parents, friends, mentors, teachers, coaches – the people who care about you, even when they’re not sure how to show it.”

With this type of support, the individual is safer, stronger and more confident. “Let’s make space for the hard talks, the real feelings and the chance to change the story ...” the message adds.

To contact “love is respect,” call 866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522 or 866-331-9474; or visit www.loveisrespect.org.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-SAFE (7233); website is www.thehotline.org.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is 800-422-4453; website is www.childhelp.org.

Based on recent data, approximately 1 in 12 U.S. high school students experience physical dating violence, a figure that aligns with similar trends in Kansas.

Additionally, up to 19 percent of teens nationally experience physical or sexual dating violence; 65 percent report psychological abuse.

In the U.S., 51 percent of dating girls and 43 percent of dating boys have been victims of abuse, whether it be emotional, physical or sexual.

FCC, 1924 Broadway, serves Barton, Barber, Comanche, Edwards, Ellsworth, Kiowa, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush and Stafford counties.