It’s important for parents and guardians to an open and honest discussions with their teenaged kids about dating. The Minnesota Department of Health reported in a 2022 survey, At least 20% of Minnesota youth experience violence from an intimate partner by 11th grade. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, there are local efforts to help spread awareness of dating violence.

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Social Services are taking a step to helping teens. Abigail Otis, one of the coordinators says recognize the the signs of dating violence early on are important. Some of those signs are changes in behavior, not being as talkative, or never leaving their partner’s side.

“Look at who their partner is and seeing if that person is threatening or intimidating them. A lot of people try to look to the victim and look for those signs,” Otis said. “Look for those controlling behaviors in a partner that they’re with. Controlling who they’re seeing, controlling their phone. Making sure that every minute spent with them. All of those are good indicators that something is going on.”

According to the National Institute of Justice, 56.4 percent of Native American teens in the U.S. experienced dating violence. They reported experiences of sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Otis also recommends parents and their teens to look at “Love is Respect“, to know the warning signs of abuse. Also there is another resource for teens living on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation. Here’s the Crisis Text Line teens can reach out: Text MN to 741741.(920) 929-3535.

“We have our own mobile crisis phone that’s answer 24/7, if they want to talk to someone,” Otis said. “It’s different than the people they know, who wouldn’t judge them, so it’s a good number to call too.”