Thursday, September 21st, marks the day that the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH) will open a new hotline for teens facing the wide spreading problem of teen dating domestic violence. Adults in the past who have been searching for resources and advice in their relationships mostly used the NDVH. More and more teens are reporting violence in their relationships.

More reports may surface with this new option available for teens. The line will be answered by teens for teens from the hours of noon until 2 a.m. The theory of having teens answering the lines is that other teens may feel more comfortable to talk to people their own age about what is going on in their lives and seek help this way.

The line receives about 17,000 calls a month and the director of the NDVH, Sheryl Cates, has said about 10 percent of these calls are teenagers. In early 2007, the hotline will be available 24/7. The line will be completely anonymous for teens seeking help. The staff will be able to offer resources, advice, or just someone to listen to teens who think their relationships are violent or leading to violence.

If you are in need of advice or resources, you can reach the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or visit them on the web at http://www.ndvh.org