The following article is part two of a four-week series focusing on raising awareness about dating violence. February is Dating Violence Awareness month and we hope to educate our community on this very important issue. One in three young people will experience dating violence in their lifetime. Locally, the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has been serving victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse since 1978. Last year, HCWC served 2,257 victims of abuse (face-to-face) primarily from Hays and Caldwell counties.
In today’s fast-paced dating world, it can be difficult to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships. While dating apps and social media have made connecting with others easier than ever, they often lead people to present only their best selves- making it harder to understand their true intentions, values and personalities. Pop culture adds to the confusion by romanticizing unhealthy behaviors, blurring the line between love and control or passion and toxicity.
These influences can make warning signs harder to spot — even when we try our best. Recognizing unhealthy patterns isn’t always easy and understanding what makes a healthy relationship takes time. However, certain key values can help guide us.
