"Love shouldn't hurt, not even your feelings." This is the message the Teen Dating Abuse Council (TADC), a group of passionate CHS students, will be spreading throughout the high school this week, as the kickoff to Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

Students will be exposed to the message on posters, stickers, PSAs, bookmarks, bracelets and the morning announcements. The message will be written on the Parker Avenue marquee. During lunch periods, students will have the opportunity to sign a banner, pledging support for the cause.

"If he constantly calls you, spies on you or stalks you, that isn't love – tell someone! If she tries to keep you from your family and friends, that isn't love – tell someone! If he threatens to kill himself if you leave him, that isn't love – tell someone!" the posters read.

This is the first year that the entire month of February is dedicated to the campaign. On Jan. 28, Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli announced the passage of Resolution 373, designating February 2010 "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month." Since 2004, the first week of February has been devoted to teen dating abuse awareness.

The designation brings teen dating abuse to equal standing with the other three crimes outlined in the Violence Against Women Act, a bill signed by former President Bill Clinton in 1994. There are awareness and education months for the crimes of sexual assault (April), domestic violence (October) and stalking (January).

"This is no small feat," Perrelli said, "And while I stand here in the hope that one day we will put an end to all four crimes, the Department will use the month of February to raise awareness regarding teen dating violence and to provide opportunities for schools and communities to protect young people."

In addition to national awareness PSAs, CHS students will see a PSA produced by senior Irene Denis. The short spot features Denis's friends and took about three days to create. Denis, a presenter for CCN, will also talk about the awareness efforts during the morning announcements.

Started in 2007, the TDAC is a division of the Teen Dating Abuse Program (TDAP), an initiative of the Linda and Rudy Slucker NCJW Center for Women. Since 1992, TDAP has been visiting high schools throughout Essex County to educate students on warning signs of abuse and elements of healthy relationships.

The TDAC at CHS is the only high school branch of the program. There are currently 14 members. After ample training, often on weekends, they will teach the program at the local middle schools.

TDAP reports that one in three teens will be involved in a dating abuse situation before high school graduation.

In his annoucement, Perrelli said, "Violence against women is the seed to so many other forms of violence. And teen dating violence affects our most vulnerable – our young children – many of whom do not know how to identify, prevent or report incidences of teen dating violence. We must do better – and we must do this work together. Today, we take another step towards raising awareness and the profile of teen dating violence. If we're going to do this, we are going to have to do it together."

As Columbia students will see Monday morning, the TDAC is set to heed Perrelli's call for action.