The JF&CS response to dating abuse in the Jewish community and beyond

One in three teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by someone they are in a relationship with before they become adults (loveisrespect.org).

It’s time to change that number.

Isn’t dating abuse pretty easy to spot? Why do we need to talk about it?

While it seems like dating abuse would be obvious, what’s healthy or unhealthy – or even abusive – in an intimate relationship is not always so clear.  One person in the relationship may... 

When one person in a relationship acts in these and similar ways, it can be really confusing for the other person.  Over time, that person often winds up feeling alone, belittled/diminished, constantly on edge, responsible for what their partner is doing to them, and sometimes afraid for their safety. 

To change that 1 in 3 number, we have to talk about what controlling and abusive behavior really is and what it can look like.  It’s usually not as obvious as a black eye or bruise. The behaviors may be abusive in more subtle ways, creating a confusing dynamic that can be hard to describe. 

By bringing conversations about dating relationships out into our community, TeenSafe works to give teens and the adults in their lives the skills and tools they need to recognize and respond to harmful, controlling, and abusive behaviors when they see, hear about, or directly experience them.

Looking Through a Jewish Lens

Importantly, TeenSafe is unique in working primarily in Jewish spaces. By hosting awareness-raising workshops, leadership in synagogues, day schools, camps, and other Jewish programs underscore the reality that domestic and dating abuse happen in the Jewish community and that we need to talk about it – through a Jewish values lens – in Jewish spaces.

Want to make a difference?

Host a Workshop or Other Awareness-Raising Event!

Please consider bringing this conversation to teens and adults at your synagogue, youth group, camp, youth-focused organization, school, or parents’ group. TeenSafe programs highlight what all of us together can do, beginning with learning more about what controlling and abusive behavior really is and what it can look like.  Once participants have that basic information, we move on to talking about how to support a friend or community member and where to find help and support if the need arises.

To learn more, please check out our page on hosting a TeenSafe workshop or email teensafe@jfcsboston.org.

Partnership with CJP’s Jewish Teen Initiative (JTI) 

In a unique partnership with Combined Jewish Philanthropies’ Jewish Teen Initiative, TeenSafe provides opportunities for Peer Fellows to learn about dating abuse and prevention through their work with the JTI’s Peer Wellness cohort.  These Peer Fellows will create and organize awareness-raising activities and social media campaigns intended to reach peers, parents, educators, and other community members.

Teen Dating Abuse Resources

Finding Support and Assistance

If you or someone you know is looking for help or support, you can anonymously reach out to loveisrespect.org (the 24/7 national teen dating abuse helpline) by…

Learning More

National websites

Resources created by TeenSafe