Staff Report
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 Hays-Caldwell’s Women Center hopes to educate the community on this important issue. One in three young people will experience dating violence in their lifetime. Locally, the HCWC has been serving victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse since 1978. Last year, HCWC served 2,277 victims of abuse (face-to-face) primarily from Hays and Caldwell counties.
SAN MARCOS — Technology can be a great way to stay connected to the world and those around us. When it comes to technology and our relationships, there is a line between connection and control.
While people of all ages can experience relationship abuse, teens and young adults can be especially vulnerable to relationship abuse as they enter new relationships for the first time and learn what makes relationships healthy and unhealthy.
One in 4 teens and young adults experience harassment through technology, including digital abuse in their relationships. Digital abuse is using technology, like cell phones and social media, to mistreat, control, stalk or intimidate another person. Being able to recognize red flags for digital abuse can help teens and young adults understand the line between caring and control.
Red Flags for Digital Abuse Include:
Pressuring a partner to share their passwords and passcodes
Going through a partner’s phone or computer without their permission
Pushing a partner to delete a post or picture on social media or asking them to not post in the future
Pressuring someone for constant contact through texts, direct messages, video calls or phones calls
Insisting a partner shares their location through apps or devices
Red flags don’t always lead to abuse, but they are a sign that something can be changed or improved or that the relationship could become more unhealthy or abusive over time. No one deserves to be mistreated, online or off.
HCWC is committed to providing free, safe and confidential services to victims of dating violence. If experiencing dating violence, call our HELPLine 24/7 at 512-396-4357. For additional information, visit www.stopthehurt.org. HCWC’s Prevention Educators are available to give presentations and education about dating violence.
