I’ve started losing interest in Twilight fandom, and it’s all because of the long awaited marriage and sex scene between Edward and Bella in the latest film, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1.

In the books and movie, Bella wants more physical intimacy with Edward, but he says they must marry first. So what does Bella do? She rushes too quickly into marriage—a very serious thing—because that’s the only way Edward will have sex with her. Her only concern seems to be what will make Edward happy—not a good message to send to the fans. It’s frustrating that Bella’s character is portrayed as so dependent on Edward. He spies on Bella while she sleeps, dictates her choice of friends and encourages her to trick her father, among other questionable actions that make Edward a creep and not a healthy choice for a boyfriend or husband. But will girls and guys believe having a controlling and possessive partner means your partner “loves” you, because they see Bella and Edward’s relationship portrayed as “romantic”?

And what about sex? The sex scene wasn’t described in detail in the book or movie. But the aftermath was shown with the breaking of a headboard and Bella’s body covered in bruises. (Edward can’t control his superhuman strength during sex with a mere human. This makes me wonder: Does this leave people thinking a partner really desires you if he or she hurts you during sex?) While Edward is disgusted with himself because he has bruised Bella, she is happy they have finally had sex. One moment Bella and Edward are in total bliss, and the next they’re both upset. Communication before, during and after sex might have helped avoid some of the misunderstanding.

At first I thought the Twilight storyline was cute, and of course, I daydreamed about how lovely a vampire boyfriend would be, but when I actually thought about what Bella and Edward’s relationship is like, I really lost interest. (But Team Jacob all the way!)

—Casandra Fetchik, 17, Staff Writer

One weekend I went to a soccer game by myself. Sure, I knew some of the people there, but I really didn’t feel all that safe in a crowd of strangers. I had my phone on me. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an app that kept you connected with family and friends and offered resources in case of an emergency? Something like that would have made me feel safer. We may not have to wait long for an app like that.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy are sponsoring Apps Against Abuse—a competition for the development of apps that would give young people tools to help prevent dating violence and sexual assault. The ideal app would be accessible from a smartphone or another Internet connected device. It would be quick and easy to use in the case of an emergency. The hope is that this app would help stop an attack by sharing the user’s whereabouts with family or friends and allowing a user to communicate that she or he is in danger.

Are you a budding programmer or just someone with a great app idea? You have until October 17, 2011, to submit your Apps Against Abuse idea at Challenge.gov. All applicants are welcome to take action, be creative and more importantly make a positive impact.

—Lina Chappelle, 17, Staff Writer

In a 2005 poll, what percentage of people said that a woman was partially or totally responsible for being raped if she was drunk? The answer? A whopping (and appalling) 28 percent.

This is one of the questions and answers that appear in the “Do you know” section of Scotland’s current campaign against sexual assault, called This Is Not an Invitation to Rape Me. This campaign started in New York City in 1994 as a series of posters and public service announcements and focuses on the still popular, though offensively incorrect, notion that victims are often partially to blame in their own sexual assault.

This Is Not an Invitation to Rape Me, which is now a Scotland-based Web site, focuses on four ways that rape victims are often blamed for being sexually assaulted: dress, intimacy, drinking and relationships.

• Just because someone is dressed provocatively doesn’t mean she secretly wanted it;
• Just because someone is flirting or kissing or touching doesn’t mean she has forfeited her right to say no;
• Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean your partner can force you to have sex;
• Just because someone has been drinking, doesn’t mean there is an open invitation to take advantage of him or her.

The This Is Not an Invitation to Rape Me campaign, besides having a brilliant, attention-grabbing name, has an extremely user-friendly Web site. Check out the Web site for yourself, and spread the word. There shouldn’t be anyone walking around thinking that sexual assault victims are at fault when they are raped.

—Taylor McCabe, 18, Contributor

“Domestic violence.” “Dating abuse.” These terms probably stir up images of a woman with a black eye or some other kind of visible bruise. While physical violence is a reality for many people (of all genders) who experience abuse from a partner, it hardly tells the whole story. Abuse is not always so in your face; it can be subtle or not immediately obvious.

For teens experiencing dating abuse from a partner, coercion is one of those types of abuse that may not be immediately obvious. Coercion is when one partner talks or manipulates another partner into doing something she or he did not really want to do. The coercive partner might use sweet talk or make threats. No matter how it looks, it’s wrong and it is not a part of a healthy relationship.

Coercion, particularly sexual coercion, can have a huge negative impact on people. For someone coerced into unprotected sexual activities, the result could be a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or possibly an unplanned pregnancy. When you don’t feel like you have choices in your relationship, or your choices are not respected, you can start to feel trapped or hopeless.

If you find yourself saying, “Well, my partner talked me into…” or “It didn’t seem like ‘no’ was an option,” that’s a red flag. Each of us-no matter how we identify or with whom we partner-deserves a relationship based on respect. While studies have shown that the most common dating or domestic violence scenario is a man abusing a woman, dating violence occurs in all kinds of relationships. There is no one type of person who abuses, and no one type of person who is abused.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To learn more about dating abuse, recognizing the signs and how to help a friend or yourself, visit Love is Respect.

You’ve probably heard the details about the night Chris Brown assaulted Rihanna, or even seen photos of the aftermath. And maybe you’ve decided who’s to blame.

Many people feel that Chris was wrong and that he had no right to hit Rihanna. But a surprising number of people feel that Rihanna is to blame. In a recent survey of 200 teens by the Boston Public Health Commission, 46 percent said the assault was her fault, while 52 percent felt both were at fault.

Why is it that many people, especially young girls, defend Chris at Rihanna’s expense? Do they think that dating violence is a normal and acceptable part of a relationship? Or is this a pattern of girls standing by their men no matter what? In a recent New York Times article, teen girls in a Bronx high school had this to say about the assault:

“I thought she was lying, or that the tabloids were making it up,” one girl said.

“She probably made him mad for him to react like that,” the other ninth grader said. “You know, like, bring it on?”

Let’s be clear. There’s nothing normal about dating violence, and no one has a right to hit another person, regardless of the circumstances.

The video below is a reenactment of the night that Chris Brown assaulted Rihanna, and it’s based on the actual police report. What you’ll see is disturbing. But what’s even more disturbing is that 1 in 3 teens report abuse in relationships and that they stay together after the first act of violence. If seeing this video upsets you, do something about it.