February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, an idea brought about to address the epidemic of domestic violence in the United States.

In the U.S., three out of four parents have never talked to their children about domestic violence and 1.5 million teenagers are abused by their significant other. This is a problem that people need to solve and the best way to do that is to raise children who understand what abuse is and why it is wrong.

Dating violence can occur in any relationship regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, religion or class. It can involve physical violence, such as beating and slapping, or sexual violence, such as sexual harassment and assault. Often overlooked, it also includes emotional abuse, like limiting contact with friends and family, belittling and terrorizing. Of course, these are not the only forms of domestic abuse.

There are many different factors that cause domestic violence and the teenage years are when most people enter their first relationships. Some teens come from backgrounds where abuse is an accepted way of life. Others see positive portrayals of abuse in movies, television and social media, leading teens to think this behavior is OK. There are also teens suffering from untreated mental illnesses, causing them to act in ways that hurt others.

Regardless of the reason, domestic violence is inexcusable, as the effects to the victim are tragic.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), survivors of domestic violence often experience depression, anxiety, substance abuse, antisocial behaviors and suicidal thoughts or actions. This negatively impacts families, schools and communities.

Of course, college students are not exempt from the effects of domestic violence. According to loveisrespect.org, 43 percent of college women in relationships experience domestic abuse. Over half of college students say relationship abuse is difficult to identify and even if they recognize it, they do not know what to do about it.

If the Oswego State campus is to be one of the greatest in the SUNY system, people need to do everything they can to help their fellow students and bring awareness to this issue. This means knowing the signs of abuse and what people can do to prevent it.

Luckily, Oswego State already has multiple resource available for victims and concerned friends, family and classmates. These include University Police, ResLife staff, The Counseling Services Center at Mary Walker Health Center, Title IX Coordinator Lisa Evaneski, Services to Aid Families (SAF) and more

It is the job of each generation to try to make the world a better place for future generations. One of the problems that has impacted humanity for millennia is domestic violence. The only way people can help eliminate this problem is if everyone works together and takes an active role.

February may be Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, but it is up to everyone to be aware and compassionate every day of the year.