Teen and shelter work to provide resources, spread awareness of abusive teen relationships

Reporter Nicole Gabe

Do you know what’s going on in your child’s dating life? If you answered no, you’re not alone.

February is teen dating violence awareness month and The Shelter for Abused Women and Children, and a local teen, have been on a mission to encourage you to get involved,  to ask questions, and to educate kids about healthy relationships.

Gabriella Angy knows the struggles of being a teen. She’s a 16-year-old Collier County student.

“We’re at an age where we are influenced by what we watch and what we see,” she said.

She sees the influence on relationships from social media, celebrities, and tv shows, saying, “You start to have this new perception of love. And it messes up with your future relationships.”

Angy said she’s worried for other teens and their relationships.

The same goes for Gizelle Perez. “With all the different types of media outlets, we are constantly normalizing those unhealthy behaviors.”

Perez is a prevention advocate with The Shelter for Abused Women and Children. She educates students across the county on relationships.

“The unhealthy signs that you can see in a relationship include intensity, where relationships are moving way too fast,” Perez explained. For example, “saying, I love you, like when you’re two weeks into a relationship, you know, or even isolation.”

According to the CDC, nearly one in 11 girls, and approximately one in 14 male high school students report having experienced physical dating violence in the last year.

A toxic relationship can also involve sexual violence or psychological aggression.

Perez added, “They say, because I love you, this is why I do this. Or if you love me, you should do this for me too. And so now they’re thinking this is normal for a relationship, or they don’t know any better and may take that into their next relationship as well. So now they’re also repeating the cycle of abuse.”

Gabriella warns if you think that your child is in a healthy relationship, “you should research with them and talk with them and try and understand what they’re going through.”

Perez and Angy encourage partners, friends, and parents to speak up and ask questions so you can prevent and stop the cycle of violence.

Resources for victims of domestic violence in Southwest Florida

Many think of domestic violence as physical hitting with potential signs of bruising of a victim, but it can also include verbal, mental, financial, and other types of abuse.

It can also impact people of all ages and of any sex.

During the hour we’ll tell the stories of survivors, red flags to look out for in a relationship, and provide resources.

Resources

Charlotte County
Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies
Phone: 941-639-5499
Hotline: 941-627-6000
SMS Text: 941-449-8534
TDD: 941-627-6000
Website: carefl.org
Chat: resourceconnect.com

Collier County
The Shelter for Abused Women & Children
Phone: 239-775-3862
Hotline: 239-775-1101
TDD: 239-775-4265
Website: naplesshelter.org

DeSoto County
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center
Phone: 941-365-0208
Hotline: 941-365-1976
TDD: 941-365-1976
Website: sparcc.net

Glades County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Hendry County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Lee County
Abuse Counseling and Treatment
Phone: 239-939-2553
Hotline: 239-939-3112
TDD: 239-939-3112
Website: actabuse.com

Below are mental health resources available to Southwest Floridians at the national and local levels.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
suicidepreventionlifeline.org

David Lawrence Center  (Collier County)
(239)455-8500
davidlawrencecenter.org

SalusCare (Lee County)
(239)275-4242
saluscareflorida.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness, Collier County
namicollier.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry Counties
namilee.org

The National Alliance for Caregiving offers a free handbook
Circle of Care: A Guidebook for Mental Health Caregivers

Collier County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/collier

Lee County Mental Health Court
ca.cjis20.org/home/lee

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
convio.net

Local Support Groups: Anxiety and Depression Association of America
adaa.org

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help)
hhs.gov/programs/topic-sites/mental-health-parity

Local veterans resource: Home Base SWFL
https://homebase.org/home-base-southwest-florida/