CLEVELAND — A recent report may cause concern among parents, especially if you have teenage girls. The CDC just came out with a report that found girls in the U.S. saw an increase of depression, violence, and trauma.
The way they worded it is that girls are "engulfed" in sadness.
- Nearly 3 in 5 reported feeling persistent hopelessness.
- That is twice the number compared to teenage boys.
- 25% say they made a suicide plan
- 14% say they were forced to have sex.
In this week’s Mom Squad, Maureen Kyle talks to Andrew DeFratis with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center about what you should be talking about with your teen to help protect them.
“Discuss the concepts of sex, sexual coercion and assault early on in a trusted and safe environment. Not to make it a joke and to try and create a trusting, calm environment,” says DeFratis. “And that key piece is, if that conversation hasn't already started in the home, is to say to your loved one, your child, that no matter what has happened before or whatever happens in the future, if anyone ever does try to hurt you, you can come to me and you can speak to me and I'll listen.”
To see this entire episode of Mom Squad and what red flags you should be looking out for when it comes to signs of abuse, tune into our WKYC Plus channel, which you can get on Roku and Fire TV. Or you can see it on our WKYC YouTube page or below.
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