Montgomery County has officially proclaimed February as “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.”
According to Smita Varia, acting director of the county’s Family Justice Center, a recent survey found that 1 in 11 Maryland teenagers has experienced physical abuse in a relationship.
To address this issue, the county offers the Expect Respect program, which provides age-appropriate workshops for students in 6th through 12th grade, focusing on identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships.
For middle schoolers, the program emphasizes healthy friendships, teaching students how to recognize red flags such as bullying, harassment, or mistreating friends. For older teens, the focus shifts to dating behaviors, helping them spot warning signs in romantic relationships.
Some red flags include:
- “Love bombing” – when a partner expresses intense emotions too quickly as a form of manipulation.
- Isolation tactics – keeping a partner away from friends, family, and support networks.
- Digital control – tracking a partner’s phone activity, reading their texts, or sending excessive messages.
The program also teaches how to seek help or support a friend in an unhealthy relationship. Research shows that it can take up to seven attempts before someone leaves an abusive relationship for good.
To further spread awareness, the county is hosting a video contest where students in grades 6-12 can create a 60-second video on topics such as healthy relationships or helping a friend in need. The submission deadline is Sunday, Feb. 16, and winners will be announced during “Respect Fest” on April 6 at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center.
