February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on an issue that affects around 1 in 12 high school students every year. Sojourner Center is committed to breaking the cycle of violence by educating and empowering teens to recognize unhealthy behaviors in relationships before they escalate.
Dating as a teenager should be filled with respect, trust, and mutual care—but sometimes, it’s not always easy to spot when things start heading in the wrong direction. That’s why understanding the red flags in a relationship is so important.
Here are a few common red flags to watch out for and share with youth in your life:
- Extreme jealousy or possessiveness: If your partner constantly accuses you of flirting, doesn’t want you to hang out with friends, or demands to know where you are at all times, this could be a sign of controlling behavior.
- Putting you down: If your partner makes hurtful comments about your appearance, intelligence, or abilities, or uses jokes to disguise insults, that’s emotional abuse.
- Controlling your decisions: A healthy partner supports your independence. If they try to control your choices, like what you wear, who you talk to, or how you spend your time, it’s a sign of an unhealthy dynamic.
- Pressuring or manipulating you: Whether it’s pressuring you into physical activities you’re not comfortable with or manipulating you emotionally to get their way, this behavior is unacceptable.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these red flags, know that help is available. Reaching out to a trusted adult or text ‘LOVE IS’ to 22522 to reach trained advocates with love is respect.