WHAT: Rather than Valentine’s Day treats from a romantic partner, many teens face a serious threat of violence in their dating relationships. Every year, nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Psychologists who work with teens, parents and communities can explain how and why teen dating violence occurs, the signs to look for and ways to prevent it. The following American Psychological Association members are available to discuss teen dating violence:

WHO: Dorothy Espelage, PhD Champaign, Ill.Email: [email protected] or [email protected]Phone: (217) 766-6413Website: http://www.dorothyespelage.com

Professor and chair of the Child Development Division at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Espelage specializes in dating violence, bullying and sexual violence.

Carlos Cuevas, PhD Boston Email: [email protected]Phone: (617) 383-4372Website: http://www.carloscuevasphd.com

Clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at Northeastern University, Cuevas focuses on dating violence among Latino adolescents, victimization and trauma.

Helen Friedman, PhD St. Louis, Mo. Email: [email protected]Phone: (314) 781-4500Website: https://www.facebook.com/drhelenfriedman

A clinical psychologist, Friedman specializes in teenage sexual abuse and treatment, teenage dating and relationships.

Catherine Steiner-Adair, EdD Chestnut Hill, Mass. Email: [email protected]Phone: (617) 332-2001Website: http://www.catherinesteineradair.com/

School consultant, author and clinical psychologist, Steiner-Adair can speak about intimacy, dating and violence among teenagers.

Sherry Hamby, PhD Sewanee, Tenn. Email: [email protected]Phone: (931) 598-1476Website: http://psychology.sewanee.edu/facstaff/hamby

A research professor of psychology at Sewanee, the University of the South, Hamby supervises research on violence and victimization. Hamby is editor of the APA journal Psychology of Violence.

BACKGROUND:

Congress designated February “Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month” in 2010 to raise public awareness about a public health concern that affects millions of young people. For APA resources on the issue, visit http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/love-teens.aspx.

________________________________________The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes more than 134,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.

________________________________________

www.apa.org

If you do not want to receive APA news releases, please let us know at [email protected] or 202-336-5700.