February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

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Two hands making a heart shape, with an orange heart background, and "Real Love Respects".

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). HFC is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of our community.

TDVAM is dedicated to raising awareness about dating violence, promoting healthy and respectful relationships, and ensuring our students and community know how to access support and resources. Dating violence can include physical, emotional, verbal, or digital abuse and can happen to anyone. At HFC, we are committed to fostering a campus environment rooted in safety, respect, and accountability.

The TDVAM theme for 2026 is “Real Love Respects.” This year’s theme focuses on what love should look and feel like. In a world full of mixed messages, this theme centers around the truth that respect is non-negotiable. It empowers youth to recognize harmful patterns early and to expect more from love. Respect is earned, it is honest, and it never makes you question your worth. Remember: If it’s real, it’s respectful.

Wear orange to show your support

To support dating violence awareness and the unity required to make social changes, we invite the HFC community and show solidarity by wearing something orange (i.e., hat, wristband, ribbon, scarf, shirt). Take photos of yourselves, friends, family, and colleagues wearing orange and tag HFC’s social media along with the hashtags: #HFCWearsOrange, #RealLoveRespects, and #TeenDatingViolence.

We encourage all members of the HFC community to take the time this month to learn about the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and how to support those who may be impacted.

Respect Week (February 9-13): Respect Week invites communities to come together to promote kindness, inclusion, and understanding. Throughout the week, individuals can participate in activities that celebrate empathy and highlight ongoing efforts to create safe and supportive environments.

Monday, February 9 – Real Love Respects (Your Boundaries): Boundaries help love grow. What’s a boundary you are still learning to practice?

Tuesday, February 10 – Teen Dating Violence Awareness Day: We invite the campus community to wear orange to show support for healthy relationships and survivors of abuse.

Together, let’s continue to promote a culture of respect, consent, and healthy relationships at HFC.

Community resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing dating violence or feels unsafe, please reach out for support. We are here for you.

We want to make you aware of some internal and external resources that are available to you at no charge.

HFC Internal Resources

Counseling Center: Counselors can help you improve your ability to make healthy decisions, provide a caring viewpoint, and offer coping mechanisms. Contact Dr. Brenda Hildreth at 313-845-9611 or bjhildreth@hfcc.edu.

Campus Safety provides assistance, safety, and crime prevention services to our community. Call Campus Safety at 313-845-9630 from an outside phone or 9630 from a campus phone (If you call 9911 from a campus phone, the call will go directly to the Dearborn 911 Dispatch Center). Campus Safety can also be reached by email at campussafety@hfcc.edu.

Student Conduct and Title IX: The Title IX Office supports our community in creating and sustaining an environment that is free from all forms of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Contact:

All members of the HFC community are responsible for understanding and adhering to HFC’s standards of behavior.

External Resources*

Love is Respect
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Futures Without Violence

*HFC provides links to external resources solely as an informational service to our community. We do not endorse or partner with these external organizations. We cannot provide referrals or any services related to these organizations. We encourage you to ask questions and make sure the support services are right for you.

For questions or more information, contact Musaibli at 313-845-6315 or aamusaibli24128@hfcc.edu.