Hey! Students!
February has been Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). FOCUS Ministries is here for the students, the teens, the tweens, college people and all young people who are trying to navigate strange times and difficult relationships. Here are some important questions to consider:
Have you really thought about YOU…in your personal relationships?
Have you given up activities you enjoy?
Have you given up other relationships you value?
Have you lost the freedom to be yourself?
Have you tried to become the person he/she wants you to be?
Have you been looking for a person to heal your inner hurt?
Have you allowed yourself to be controlled by another person?
Do you do things you really don’t want to do?
Have you tried to protect the other person from the consequences of their actions?
Have you been mistreated and disrespected, but you can’t take a stand against it?
Do you deny what is happening to you?
Have you given in to sexual demands that you do not want to do?
If you can answer “yes” or even “maybe” to some of these questions, please consider these words of wisdom:
Tell Someone – Find an adult (parent, teacher, pastor, youth leader, counselor) you trust to help you break free of the relationship. A friend can also be told to provide peer support. You need a group of people to be your support system!
Educate Yourself – Learn about abusive and healthy relationships. Knowing what a relationship should look like will help in identifying ones that will eventually destroy.
Develop a Safety Plan – Try to be in a crowd or with at least one other friend or family member. Plan ahead your responses to typical situations with the abusive person.
Locate Resources for Help – There are professional organizations offering free support for teens and families, such as FOCUS Ministries. Please don’t wait until it’s too late for help!
Please visit our website for more information.
Or call our office to set up a time for free faith-based counseling.
630.617.0088
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