Action Tips: Use Texting to Fight Dating Abuse

1. Don’t pass on a mean message or embarrassing picture of a classmate.
2. Save an anti-gossip pledge to your phone. When you receive a mean message, send that person back the pledge saying that you won’t spread negative words or images.
3. If someone is harassing you by text, save them and show someone who can help.
4. Educate your peers on dating violence by making a short video, public service announcement or meaningful image, and share it via text!
5. Know someone overcoming dating abuse? Send texts of support and encouragement.
6. Think your friend may be in an abusive relationship? Send her a text with some warning signs and a hotline number. Remember, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is: 1-866-331-9474 or text "loveis" to 77054.
7. Message your friends and family with some facts and prevention ideas.
8. Teach your parents how to text. You’ll feel safer if you are connected in times where it might be too loud or embarrassing to talk on the phone to them.
9. Text your friends some tips on how to start off and keep their relationships healthy.
10. Mass texting is a great way to spread the word about an anti-dating violence rally, fundraiser, or awareness mixer that you are hosting.

Get the facts on teen dating violence. GO