Teen Dating Violence is a pattern of controlling behavior by one teenager over another teenager who are in a dating relationship. The behavior includes, but is not limited to, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Although 40% of teenagers in the United States know somebody that is in an abusive relationship1, most parents do not recognize Teen Dating Violence as a significant issue2.
While there are many similarities to Adult Dating Violence there are also some differences. Teens are much more likely than adults to become isolated from their peers as the result of controlling behavior by their boyfriend / girlfriend. Also, for many teens the abusive relationship may be their first dating experience and have never had a "normal" dating experience with which to compare it.3
Some Types of Abuse
- Physical abuse - hitting somebody or preventing them from leaving
- Emotional and verbal abuse - name calling, humiliation or attempts to undermine self-esteem4
- Sexual abuse - coerced or forced sex
- Threats - threatening retaliation or threatening to leave the relationship
- Isolation - not allowing partner to spend time with others in order to isolate them from friends and family
- Harassment - repeated phone calls, text messages or other forms of communication
U.S. Statistics of Dating Violence for Teens and Preteens
- 20% of children between the ages of 11 and 14 say their friends are victims of dating violence 5
- 40% of children between the ages of 11 and 14 in relationships know friends who are verbally abused6
- 34% of teens that are sexually active by age 15 have been physically abused7
- 20% of all teens in relationships have been physically abused8
- 33% of all teens have been affected by Teen Dating Violence9
- Teenagers are victimized by dating violence at a higher rate than adults10
- One-third of all students have been in an abusive relationship by the time they graduate from college11
- A research study in the July 2008 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine shows that 44% of all students have been in an abusive relationship by the time they graduate from college, 22% of all males and > 50% of all females. 12
- 30% of all murdered teenage girls are murdered by a current or former partner13
Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship14
- History of legal or discipline problems
- Blames you for his/her anger
- Serious drug or alcohol use
- History of violent behavior
- Threatens others regularly
- Insults you or calls you names
- Trouble controlling feelings like anger
- Tells you what to wear, what to do or how to act
- Threatens or intimidates you in order to get their way
- Prevents you from spending time with your friends or family
Efforts
- At the 2008 Summer Meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General, Attorneys General from across the nation passed a resolution encouraging schools to develop teen dating violence awareness curriculum. It was inspired by the death of Lindsay Ann Burke, a 23-year-old Rhode Islander murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2005.16
- On July 2, 2008 Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed legislation giving dating violence victims the same rights under the law as domestic abuse victims. The new law is named for Tiffany Barwick, 19, and friend, Michael Ruschak, 22, who were murdered by Barwick's ex-boyfriend Andrew Allred.17
- On September 18, 2008 Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced that his office is helping fund a National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline campaign to raise awareness of unhealthy dating behaviors and signs of emotional and physical abuse. 18 Wallet cards with warning signs are available to schools and non-profit organizations for no charge through Jennifer Ann's Group.
Teen Dating Violence Organizations
- Jennifer Ann's Group gives free Educational Cards to organizations and schools. These cards contain "Ten Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship" on one side and on the other side has the toll-free number for the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline. These free cards can be ordered through their website JenniferAnn.org.
References
- ^ Children Now/Kaiser Permanente "National Poll on Kids Health and Safety," December 1995
- ^ “Women’s Health,” Family Violence Prevention Fund and Advocates for Youth, June/July 2004
- ^ http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=10434&state_code=GE Women's Law
- ^ Emotional and Verbal Abuse
- ^ National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, July 2008 "Tween and Teen Dating Abuse Survey" (PDF)
- ^ ibid
- ^ ibid
- ^ ibid
- ^ Liz Claiborne, Conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited, February 2005
- ^ Jay G. Silverman et Al, “Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Use, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality.” Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 286, 572, 576-577
- ^ Barrie Levy, "In Love and In Danger." Seattle, WA, Seal Press, 1993
- ^ Violence Is Common Among The Young
- ^ Borden, Sally; Shue, Karen. Teen Dating Violence memorandum, 1995
- ^ Jennifer Ann's Group: Ten Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship
- ^ KAUZ TV: Perry Signs Teen Dating Violence Bill - July 19, 2007
- ^ Abuse among teens is called widespread
- ^ Crist signs new anti-dating violence law
- ^ Texas gives boost to teen dating violence prevention
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