Verizon, CSA&DV Team Up to Prevent Teen Dating Violence

It’s a good thing that corporations are recognizing the dangers of teen dating violence. I read this news report that Verizon Wireless pitched in $10,000 to the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence’s latest campaign targeted at teens.

The news item says:

The money will help educate young adults about healthy dating relationships, anger management and positive communication, to keep a new generation informed through social media.

CSA&DV Executive Director Margaret Sanders said, “It’s important to educate them around what is normal behavior, how good relationships are developed, and really how to recognize controlling behavior that often leads to abusive relationships.”

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller added “Now I think we realize that there’s more psychological, physical and sexual abuse in dating relationships, and because they are so private and sensitive, as was mentioned before, people rarely talk about the situation when they’ve gone wrong.”

The 10-month campaign is part of Verizon’s ongoing partnership with CSA&DV that includes their HopeLine phone recycling program.

This was a good move by Verizon as it will help a safe dating environment for teens. Don’t you agree?

Dating and alcohol: A big No-No!

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If you want to make a good impression on your first date, you might want to stay away from alcohol consumption. Drinking alcoholic beverages can impair your judgment and decision making. Being under the influence of alcohol in your date places you vulnerable to incidents and even to sexual assaults. If you want to make your first date a memorable one you better try to keep alcohol off the menu and have an alcohol-free date. You will not only make a good impression but you will also be a lot safer.

Alcohol-free food

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If you two are planning to have a dinner date, try not to order beer or wine. You can opt to have dessert afterwards and you can even have coffee after meal. Coffee is a great drink to ease your digestion and you will enjoy chatting with your date over coffee.  You have a lot of options to avoid incorporating alcohol into your date. You may also try cooking for your date or may also have a picnic. They will provide you the romance of a candle light dinner and the safety of a casual date on the mall. Its a plus factor as well when you get to impress your date with your cooking expertise, right?

Flex those muscles.

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You have a lot of options for this one. You can go and try out a new sport that you two will both learn at the same time. The challenge can boost up your chemistry and it will also give you a chance to measure your compatibility. You will not only be fit through these physical activities but this experience will give you a good topic to talk about on your next date.

Enjoy the scenery

When was the last time that you dropped by your local museum? Have you ever been to your local tourist spots? If you answered no, maybe this is the time for you to do so. It’ll not only keep you away from having a drinking spree in a bar but you can also help tourism in your locale.

Bring back your childhood days

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Who said that you can no longer play games? Remember how you bumped your way with bump cars? How you screamed when the roller coaster was just about to begin its flight downwards? Showcased your skill in the video arcade? You and your date will be in memory lane, and the best part of it? It’s alcohol-free!

Safe Dating Places

Photo credit:  derlis alvarenga

Before you set a date, make sure that the place you agree to meet him is something that can be classified as safe, safe and safe. Especially when the person that you are about to date is someone that you just met online or someone that you barely knew. If you are having a hard time to know if the place that you are about to meet is safe then better read on and know more about places that you can meet your date risk-free and absolutely worry-free.

Stroll in the Park.

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If you are planning to go on a date in daytime and a park is just nearby, this is a good place for a first date. You can talk about a lot of things in a park. In addition to that, Parks are never isolated. A lot of people always stroll in the park so you are assured of your safety. If you are not familiar with the park that your date suggested, make sure that you bring a map with you. Better yet, study the map before you go there. You may get too caught up with your conversation that you may not notice where your date might be leading you. Be aware of your surroundings. If you sense that people are getting fewer in the way that you are heading, you might want to re-route and ask your date to go the other direction. If he/she refuses to go your way, maybe that person is up to no good and you better start thinking of a swift escape.

Laugh in comedy clubs.

You may not know it but comedy clubs are a great place to have your date. You can start the night with a few drinks and a little chit-chat while the comedy acts have not yet started. You will never have dead air and you will both enjoy the ambiance. However, you may not be able to talk as much when the comedy rolls in but this date will get you to assess his humor level and know if you two have the same wavelength. Funny guys are always easy to get along with and you cannot be wrong with people who exude ample amounts of happiness.

Visit the zoo.

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Who said that zoos are for children only? If you want a no sweat and light date, you will never go wrong with a date in the zoo. Zoos offer a lot of discussion points and there are also a lot of cafes around it where you can hang out and have a chat. You will also enjoy the experience of seeing him afraid of the snake or if you’re a guy, you can offer you warm arms when she gets scared of the bear. Nice trick?!

Play ball.

Everybody enjoys a little challenge. You can play sport activities on your first date. Men love showing off their masculinity and its nice to make them realize that girls are not only beauty but good physique as well. Its best to start with a sport that you two don’t know how to play. You both will have fun and it’s a game of luck. You’re not going to a tournament so better choose a game where you two will enjoy and have a nice laugh afterwards.

Dine in a resto.

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If you want to do the classic then the restaurant is where you should be heading. Find a restaurant where you two will be comfortable to be in. Before you go on a date, you already know your date a little better than before so gauge if the place where you would meet him is ok for him. It should be a place where you two can relax and be yourselves. If you are not comfortable in a exclusive restaurant then maybe a chinese restaurant can serve you good. Think if a place where you can talk and get to know each other a lot.

Women’s guide to Online Dating Safety

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Who would say that online dating is not fun? It’s Thrilling, its exciting and it gives you some sort of frenzy that make you come back for more. Behind all this overwhelming feelings, you still have to be careful. Dating can be fun and exciting but you have to consider that not everybody engaging in online dating have good intentions. Just as the world is always risky, online dating comes with precautions as well.My phone got lost. I’ll give it to you when I have a new one.

Photo credit: ajayhawker2005

You can use this alibi when the person you are chatting with insists of getting your phone number. Yes, it’s a lie but telling  lie is safer than giving your personal info to a person you barely know. Put it this way, would you give your name, address and contact info to a person that you just met in a bar or on the street? Better get to know that person before you give him your number. Never tell him where you work either. Be general when you give him details. Tell him that you are a supervising manager in a business process outsourcing company.. and not that you work as the supervising manager of Mediatricks Inc.

Do not go beyond the limits.

Start only with the communication tools that the dating service you belong to have provided. Save your private email address, especially if your online banking is connected to that email address, after you have known him and you are 101% sure he’s genuine with his intentions. If you have an isp email address, you better keep it away for now. You have to know that your isp address can be traced by anyone if they want to use your email address for their own good.

If you get to the point that you will be meeting your date personally, make sure that the venue will be in a public place. It’s also advisable that you meet your date in day time. if you want to, you can take a friend or arrange for someone to call you soon after you meet him, just to check if you’re ok.

Keep in mind.. You can always limit the information that you give other people. Don’t let anyone force you to reveal too much.