If you are like many Americans, you may not consider the possibility that adolescents are likely to suffer from dating violence. Yet studies show that teens are at high risk for several different types of abuse. That reality makes it all the more important that we — as parents, educators, family, and trusted friends — take the time to talk to the teenagers in our lives about dating violence. According to studies, 1 in 3 adolescents in the United States has experienced physi

Last week, a 17 year old in Maryland took a gun to school, where he shot two classmates before eventually killing himself. One of his victims, a 16 year old girl, died this week after being taken off of life support. The other, a 14 year old boy, was treated and released from the hospital for a gunshot wound to the thigh. The media has described the shooter as a “lovesick teen,” devastated by a recent breakup with his 16 year old victim. Describing a person who committed a

If you’re a parent, chances are that you’ve wondered how to talk to your children about complicated topics like sexual abuse, dating violence, online safety and more. At Blackburn Center, we recognize that talking about these issues with your children can be challenging — and we are here to help! Through our school-based outreach programs, we educate thousands of school-aged children in Westmoreland County. These sessions cover a variety of topics, from bullying to harassme

Every year, roughly 1 in 10 American teenagers experiences physical abuse at the hands of a dating partner. This sort of dating violence can lead to long-term effects, leaving survivors at increased risk of depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, poor academic performance, and future violence. Although February is officially Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, abuse between teenagers in relationships is a form of domestic violence — and it is just as important that