Between virtual classrooms, calls and chats with friends and family, and physical isolation from much of the "outside world," teens are spending a lot of time online. For teens who are dating, their relationships have most likely been gone entirely digital.

Pre-COVID, at least 1 in 4 dating teens experienced digital abuse. It's more important than ever that young people have the tools to navigate relationships online, and know how to access support.

"Digital dating abuse is the use of technologies such as texting and social networking to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a partner. Often this behavior is a form of verbal or emotional abuse perpetrated online."

"Digital abuse can come from anyone – a dating partner, a friend, or an acquaintance. In a world where we are constantly surrounded by technology, it's important to understand the various forms of abuse that can take place both online and off."

24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline: 703-237-0881

Call: 866-331-9474 / TTY: 866-331-8453

Text: loveis to 1-866-331-9474

Chat: www.loveisrespect.org

"Young parents (parents who had their first child when they were between the ages of 16 and 24) are more likely to work in health care or in industries experiencing major layoffs during the pandemic—both circumstances that require expanded access to child care."

Doorways' Pathways for Youth program is designed to empower young people and their children through supports tailored for them and their unique needs.

"Returning to the family home can be traumatizing all over again, she says, especially if parents or siblings reject them or are even hostile. She says LGBTQ young people have a high likelihood of having experienced a lot of trauma and stressful life events already; that means the impact of returning to an unsupportive home is dramatically magnified."

"They are also at greater risk for experiencing high levels of hardship, including higher rates of assault, trauma, exchanging sex for basic needs, and early death. Black LGBTQ youth, especially young men, have the highest rates of homelessness."

Doorways is committed to creating an environment that provides culturally competent and inclusive services that are non-stigmatizing to all clients regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, sex, gender and gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, age, or disability, as well as to others from diverse backgrounds.

Join Project PEACE every Thursday in June to learn more about the LGBTQIA+ community! Each session builds on the previous one with a focus on supporting survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence who identify as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and/or Asexual).

Utilizing the Safe Zone training and expertise from local experts and advocates, these sessions seek to help service providers gain the skills they need to create a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ people.

Have more at home than you need? Swing by our office's Drive-Thru Deeds on Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to drop off items you may have "extra" of at home. Please contact Joy Myers at [email protected] or (703) 504-9290 for donation drop-off instructions.

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