1 in 4 dating teens experience abuse online, but you can help . You can use digital communication to educate teens, spread the word about where to go for help, and give them a safe way to report abuse .
How COVID Is Impacting Youth and How You Can Help
Digital Abuse
"I wouldn't want parents to have a knee-jerk reaction and take their kids' devices away. We need to let our sons and daughters know they can talk to us , and have nonjudgmental conversations about these issues."
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.
What is digital abuse?
"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."
Share these resources
Doorways
24-Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline: 703-237-0881

Loveisrespect
Call: 866-331-9474 / TTY: 866-331-8453
Text: loveis to 1-866-331-9474
Young Parents
" Young parents are at high risk of facing severe hardship as a result of COVID-19." — Urban Institute
What young parents need to weather the COVID-19 crisis
"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."
Help youth and young parents at Doorways
Doorways' Pathways for Youth program is designed to empower young people and their children through supports tailored for them and their unique needs.
Donate now to support these and more services for youth and families experiencing homelessness, and/or escaping abuse.
LGBTQ Youth
"A lot of young people when they make it to college are able, for the first time, really, to live their truth ."
Home but not safe, some LGBTQ young people face rejection from families in lockdown
"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."
LGBTQ youth experience homelessness at more than 2x the rate of peers
"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 a safe zone for LGBTQIA+ people
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.
June is Pride Month
LGBTQIA+ Trainings for Service Providers
Hosted by Project PEACE
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.
The Basics: Language and Gender and Sexuality Spectrums
June 4th at 1:00 p.m.
Hidden and Social Biases in the LGBTQ Community
June 11th at 1:00 p.m.
Addressing Domestic and Sexual Violence in the LGBTQ Community
June 18th at 1:00 p.m.
LGBTQ Specific Case Studies (Bring questions or scenarios to discuss)
June 25th at 1:00 p.m.
Drive-Thru Deeds
How to Donate Essential Items
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 JMyers@DoorwaysVA.org or (703) 504-9290 for donation drop-off instructions .
This week's items:
  • Grocery Gift Cards (Giant, Safeway, Harris Teeter, Target)
  • Toilet Paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Cleaning Supplies
  • Hand Sanitizer
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