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Dating Violence includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.  If you or a friend has been a victim of dating violence get help by calling a helpline. Teen dating violence is something that happens more often than we would like to admit.
 

What does dating violence look like?

Remember that dating abuse can be emotional abuse too.  Emotional abuse can hurt just as much as much as hitting, kicking, or sexually hurting someone.

Does your partner,

  • Look at you or act in ways that scares you?
  • Act jealous or possessive?
  • Put you down or criticize you?
  • Try to control where you go, what you wear or what you do?
  • Text or IM you excessively?
  • Blame you for the hurtful things they say and do?
  • Threaten to kill or hurt you or themselves if you leave them?
  • Try to stop you from seeing or talking to friends and family?
  • Try to force you to have sex before you’re ready?
  • Do they hit, slap, push or kick you?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions your relationship may not be a healthy one.  For help you can call any of the numbers listed at the top of the page or go to the National Teen Dating Abuse website below.

 

Power & Control Wheel

Explore the Power & Control Wheel at LoveisRespect.org to learn more about Teen Dating Violence. 
 

11 Facts about Teen Dating Violence

  1. Roughly 1.5 million high school boys and girls in the U.S. admit to being intentionally hit or physically harmed in the last year by someone they are romantically involved with.
  2. Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior.
  3. 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. A lack of alternative housing often leads women to stay in or return to violent relationships. Collect used cell phones to benefit domestic violence programs. Sign up for Cell Phones for Survivors.
  4. 33% of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional dating abuse.
  5. In the U.S., 25% of high school girls have been abused physically or sexually. Teen girls who are abused this way are 6 times more likely to become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
  6. Females between the ages of 16 and 24 are roughly 3 times more likely than the rest of the population to be abused by an intimate partner.
  7. States in the U.S. do not consider a violent dating relationship domestic abuse. Therefore, adolescents, teens, and 20-somethings are unable to apply for a restraining order for protection from the abuser.
  8. Violent behavior often begins between 6th and 12th grade. 72% of 13 and 14-year-olds are “dating.”
  9. 50% of young people who experience rape or physical or sexual abuse will attempt to commit suicide.
  10. A mere 1/3 of the teens who were involved in an abusive relationship confided in someone about the violence.
  11. Teens who have been abused hesitate to seek help because they do not want to expose themselves or are unaware of the laws surrounding domestic violence.
     

Help End Teen Dating Violence

Help end teen dating violence by raising awareness.  Get active by updating your status to inform others, distribute materials to friends and family, host an awareness event.  You could even get your school or elected officials to help you raise awareness. Visit Break the Cycle and get active.

 

Where to Go For Help

Other resources

 

 

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