AIR DATE FEBRUARY 10, 2022
Title: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Valentine’s Day is often a time for new romances. We focus on how teens can establish healthy dating relationships to avoid abuse.
Guests and Locations
Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Investigator for the Domestic Crimes Unit – Sgt. Benjamin Thorpe
H.E.R. Counseling Services, Creator/Mental Health Therapist – Tammie Holt
Harbor House of Central Florida, CEO – Michelle Sperzel
Resources for Establishing Healthy Relationships Among Teens & Avoiding Abuse
Valentine’s Day is a time when romance flourishes and love fills the air. It’s just as special of a day for teen relationships as it is for adults.
But instead of putting such a priority on lavish gifts and date nights, we should focus on how teens (and adults) can establish healthy dating relationships to avoid abuse.
Unfortunately, abuse often goes unreported, and young minds don’t know what to do in a potentially abusive situation.
Join me as I speak with Sergeant Ben Thorpe (Supervisor of the Domestic Crimes Unit of the Orange County Sheriff’s office), Tammie Holt (creator of H.E.R. Counseling Services), and Michelle Sperzel (CEO of Harbor House of Central Florida) on identifying red flags for abusive teen relationships and developing healthy connections.
Love Should Not Hurt
Sergeant Thorpe opens up, “Love should not hurt.” If you are in a situation with your partner and it becomes mentally, emotionally, physically abusive, or there’s an aspect of coercion making you uncomfortable, those are red flags.
If someone cares about your wellbeing and is invested in a healthy future together, those manipulations should not manifest in your relationship.
Walking away from an abusive situation is the challenging part. There are many factors at play- power and control, psychological pulls, guilt, fear, etc.
As a parent, communication is key. Open the dialogue with your teen and explain what an abusive relationship may look like. And if you feel your child may be in an abusive relationship, you can call the Sheriff’s Office to be connected with the Domestic Crimes unit.
“The non-emergency number for the Sheriff’s Office is 407-836-HELP. You can call the main Sheriff’s Office, 407-254-7000, and just explain what’s going on and that you need to talk to somebody. Our community relations can help get information out, and please interact with your school resource, your safe coordinators,” Thorpe advises.
Teen Therapy and Counseling
“H.E.R. stands for healing, empowering, and restoring resilience, and we primarily work with women, children, and families,” says Tammie when asked about her counseling practice.
She continues, “When it comes to teen therapy or counseling with children, I primarily work with children between the ages of 9 and 17 who may be dealing with different types of behaviors, like anxiety and depression and bullying, and also teen dating abuse, ADHD and ADD, and family issues.”
If you feel like your teen may be in an abusive relationship of any kind, you can call 1-800-ABUSE. Locally, we have Harbor House of Central Florida and H.E.R. Counseling right here in Orlando.
Finding Safety at Harbor House
Harbor House is a certified domestic violence program that serves the Orange County community. They host a variety of programs for adults, adolescents, teens, and children.
Some programs are held within their shelter, such as teen support groups, healthy relationship curriculums, and areas for teens to receive tutoring or game. Harbor House has an in-house therapist too.
“If they want to find out more about Harbor House, going online and looking is going to be the best way to do it. There’s the National Network to End Domestic Violence too,” says Michelle.
Take a look at harborhousefl.com to learn how you can get involved as a volunteer or receive resources to exit an abusive relationship- whether it be yours or your teen’s.
