By Sky Mundell

SALT LAKE CITY — Everyone who's ever been a teenager has dreaded having "the talk" with their parents or caregivers.

In recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month this February, a group of organizations called the Planting Seed Coalition wants to ensure that teens who are actively dating can recognize the signs of a dangerous situation or person by educating Salt Lake City youth and their parents on how to forge positive, safe connections.

A workshop organized on Wednesday night explained to caregivers and their teens how they can have that conversation in an effective, comfortable way.

"It's important for teens to have somebody who they feel safe with and is equipped with the knowledge needed to connect them to the resources they need or provide this sort of support early so we can prevent more domestic violence in the future," said Stephanie Niemi-DeHerrera, who works for South Valley Services as the director of the South Valley Sanctuary, a shelter in West Jordan meant to provide support for those who've been a victim of domestic abuse.

The organizations that make up the coalition include the YWCA's Utah chapter, the Rape Recovery Center, Planned Parenthood, Comunidades Unidas and South Valley Services.

Representatives from each of the organizations spoke to teens and their parents during the workshop at the Sorenson Unity Center in Salt Lake City.

"Two times as many feminine-presenting individuals than masculine-presenting individuals reported experiencing physical violence in a relationship," said Abe Rawlings, of South Valley Services, speaking about relationship "red flags."

Other subjects that were broached during the presentation portion of the workshop were "green flags" — the things that teens should be looking for in a potential dating partner — and how parents and caregivers can open up and navigate the channel of communication where they can have healthy, insightful conversations with their teens about how to have a healthy, safe dating life.

"These tips can be used with youth of any age," said Anna Mancera, of the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah.

https://www.ksl.com/article/50933855/talking-to-your-teens-about-dating-workshop-helps-parents-open-the-door-to-conversations