The New Jersey Department of Children and
Families (DCF) Commissioner launched New
Jersey's first statewide youth helpline,
2NDFLOOR, in 2008. The new youth helpline is
available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
to children and young adults ages 10-24.
Youth can either call the helpline at
1-888-222-2228 or access the interactive
website at  www.2NDFLOOR.org. Calls are
anonymous and confidential except in
life-threatening situations.
MTV Launches 'A Thin Line' To Stop Digital Abuse
December 3, 2009

MTV announced the launch of a multi-year initiative called
"A Thin Line" aimed at stopping the spread of abuse in
the form of sexting, cyberbullying and digital dating
abuse. The goal of the initiative is to empower America's
youth to identify, respond to and stop the spread of the
various forms of digital harassment.
To read the full article, click here

Teen Dating Violence
By Lara Alspaugh

Dating violence is defined by the United States
Department of Justice as: “the perpetration or threat of an
act of violence by at least one member of an unmarried
couple on the other member within the context of dating
or courtship.” To read the full article, click here
Dating violence is the physical, emotional and/or verbal abuse of one
partner by the other partner in a current or former dating relationship.
Abusive behavior is any act carried out by one partner aimed at hurting or
controlling the other. Dating violence happens in male/female relationships
as well as in lesbian and gay relationships.
A violent relationship means more than being hit by the person who claims
to love or care about you. Violence is about power and control. When
someone uses abuse and violence against you, it is always part of a larger
pattern to try and control you.
Even though most people think that violence in relationships happens only
between married persons, the same kind of violence also happens between
people who are dating regardless of their sexual orientation. Even if you
are not being hurt physically, verbal and emotional abuse are just as painful
and often lead to physical violence.
Dating Bill of Rights

I have a right to:

Ask for a date

Refuse a date

Suggest activities

Refuse any activities, even if my date is
excited about them

Have my own feelings and be able to
express them

Say, "I think my friend is wrong and his
actions are inappropriate"

Tell someone not to interrupt me

Have my limits and values respected

Tell my partner when I need affection

Refuse affection

Be heard

Refuse to lend money

Refuse sex any time, for any reason

Have friends and space aside from my
partner

-----------------------------------------------

I have the responsibility to:

Determine my limits and values

Respect the limits of others

Communicate clearly and honestly

Not violate the limits of others

Ask for help when I need it

Be considerate

Check my actions and decisions to
determine whether they are good or bad
for me

Set high goals for myself

From the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program of
Family Resources, Inc.  
You should think ahead about ways to be safe if you are in a dangerous or
potentially dangerous relationship. Here are some things to consider in
designing your own safety plan.

  • What adults can you tell about the violence and abuse?
  • What people at school can you tell in order to be safe (teachers,
    principal, counselors, security)?
  • Consider changing your school locker or lock.
  • Consider changing your route to/from school.
  • Use a buddy system for going to school, classes and after school
    activities.
  • What friends can you tell to help you remain safe?
  • If stranded, who could you call for a ride home?
  • Keep a journal describing the abuse.
  • Get rid of or change the number to any beepers, pagers or cell
    phones the abuser gave you.
  • Keep spare change, calling cards, SAFE's hotline number, numbers
    of people you trust and restraining orders with you at all times.
  • Where could you go quickly to get away from an abusive person?
  • What other things can you do?
Copyright ACADV.org
SAFE in Hunterdon  •  47 E. Main Street  •  Flemington, NJ 08822  •  Outreach office: 908-788-7666  •  24-hour hotline: 888-988-4033

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How We're Helping

Click here to read about our
SAFE for Teens program: what
we've accomplished and what we
still hope to create.
There are many ways you can help make
our vision for our teen program a
reality. Hold a fundraiser, volunteer
your time to help with our events and
raise awareness for the cause in your
community. To learn more, call our
Coordinator of Community Mobilization
at (908) 788-7666.
Read about how local Girl Scouts got
involved and are making a difference at
SAFE in Hunterdon! Click here
What is Dating Violence?
Safety Planning
Serving victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse for over 30 years