Breathe
By Ana Lilia López, psychology graduate with specialization in adolescence.
In the darkness of relationships teenagers, a devastating phenomenon is often hidden: dating violence. This is an issue that requires immediate attention and concrete actions, especially in schools, where the teenagers spend a large part of their time. In Mexico, as in many parts of the world, dating violence is a worrying reality. According to the National Survey on the Dynamics of Household Relationships (ENDIREH), 76% of women between the ages of 15 and 24 have suffered at least one incident of violence in their relationship. These alarming figures force us to rethink the way we approach prevention and early detection of this problem, especially at ages 13 to 16.
It is critical to understand that dating violence is not limited to the physical. Emotional manipulation, excessive control, cyberbullying, and verbal violence are equally destructive forms of abuse that can leave invisible scars on the souls of teenagers. Therefore, it is essential to educate young people about the different types of dating violence and provide them with the necessary tools to identify and deal with these situations.
In this fight against dating violence, schools play a fundamental role. They are spaces where teenagers spend a significant amount of time and where effective educational programs can be implemented. However, so far, dating violence alerts in schools have been insufficient and ineffective. It is time to rethink our strategy and find new ways to address this problem.
