JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas--Joint Base San Antonio will confront the problem of teen dating violence with an array of activities in February, including a JBSA-wide parent and teen workshop set for Feb. 25 at the JBSA-Randolph Chapel Annex.

The workshop and four other events at JBSA-Randolph are part of JBSA’s Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month observance.

“It’s an issue that teens face and we just want to get the word out,” said Angela Nance, 359th Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy Program intervention specialist. “We want people to know the signs when a teen is in an abusive relationship.”Activities during the month will help parents communicate more effectively with their teenage children and provide teens with the information they need to form healthy relationships and prevent the abuse that is all too common.

The headline event of the month’s activities is “JBSA Parent and Teen Workshop, #RealFamiliesRealTalk,” facilitated by the family advocacy programs at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Randolph from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 25 in the JBSA-Randolph Chapel Annex.

During this event, which is open to the first 20 families who register by calling 808-6468, parents will learn effective communication skills, discipline while teaching responsibility, how to encourage their children and nonviolent conflict resolution, while teens will learn communication skills that work in any situation, how to get along with all kinds of people, how to solve problems creatively and the secret to gaining freedom.

Two of the events – “Dangers of Social Media,” 2-3:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Human Performance Resource Center, building 999, and “A Cup of Prevention,” 8:30-9:30 a.m. Feb. 22 at the JBSA-Randolph Medical Clinic’s 359th MDOS conference room – are exclusively for parents.

Facilitated by the JBSA Family Life Program, “Dangers of Social Media” aims to help parents learn more about social media, how their children are using it and what they can do to protect their children.

“A Cup of Prevention,” facilitated by the Texas Advocacy Project, an organization that provides free legal services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, provides a forum for parents to learn about surviving the teenage years by addressing healthy relationships, social courage, self-image, coping strategies and healthy communication.

“Statistics show that 80 percent of parents do not know their children are in an unhealthy or abusive relationship,” Nance said. “We want them to have conversations with their children about their relationships.”

Dating violence may be physical, sexual or emotional, she said.
“Physical abuse may start with a pinch and escalate to a slap or a punch, then to even more violent behavior,” Nance said. “Sexual abuse involves forcing someone into a sexual relationship, while emotional abuse includes stalking, texting, phone calls and using social media to intimidate or humiliate.”

Events geared toward teenagers are “Responsible Social Media Teen Talk,” facilitated by the Family Life Program from 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 and “In Their Shoes,” facilitated by the Texas Advocacy Program from 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 22, both at JBSA-Randolph Youth Programs, building 585.

Teens will learn about using social media responsibly and avoiding the pitfalls during “Responsible Social Media Teen Talk.”

“In Their Shoes” allows participants to become one of six characters based on the experiences of real teens. They will make choices about their relationships and move through the scenario by reading the interactions with their relationships.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month will also feature the Jeans for Teens Shelter Drive. Participants in the drive may bring gently used blue jeans to a donation box at JBSA-Randolph Youth Programs, the chapel office or the medical clinic throughout February.

On Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, JBSA community members are encouraged to wear orange to bring awareness to teen dating violence, Nance said.

For more information on any of the month’s events, call 652-2448.