What is Teen Dating Violence?
According to The National Center for Victims of Crime, dating violence is “controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. It can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or a combination.” In the context of Teen Dating Violence, it is the violence that occurs in romantic partnerships where the victim is between the ages of 12 and 18. A survey conducted by Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance in 2013 found that 10% of high school students had experienced physical violence from a romantic partner in the past 12 months. It is a serious issue and is far more prevalent than people may realize.

Signs 

 
Signs of Controlling Behavior:
  • Deciding who you should or should not be allowed to be friends with.
  • Forcing you to cut off communication with your friends.
  • Calling frequently to know about your whereabouts.
  • Having to be with you constantly.
  • Telling you what to wear/how you should style your hair.
 


​Signs of Emotional/Verbal Abuse:
  • Calling you hurtful names.
  • Threatening to commit suicide to keep you from breaking up with them.
  • Jealousy of your relationships with others.
  • Accusing you of cheating.
  • Yelling/screaming at you.
  • Threatening physical violence towards you, your family, or themselves.
  • Making you feel guilty about rejecting sexual activity.
  • Invalidating your feelings.
 
Signs of Physical Abuse
  • Scratching, biting, and hair pulling.
  • Throwing objects at you.
  • Punching, slapping, or kicking.
  • Using weapons or sharp objects on you.
  • Grabbing you to prevent you from leaving.
 
Signs of Sexual Abuse:
  • Unwanted kissing or touching.
  • Rape or attempted rape.
  • Refusing to use condoms or other forms of birth control.
  • Threatening someone into unwanted sexual activity.
  • Guilting someone into unwanted sexual activity.
  • Unwanted rough sexual touch.
  • Sexual contact with someone who is drunk or drugged and unable to give consent.
  • Sexual insults.
 
 

An important guide on women’s safety online:  www.vpnmentor.com/blog/the-empowering-internet-safety-guide-for-women/

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Get Help
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Talk to a parent, adult, teacher, or counselor if you recognize the symptoms of abuse in your own relationship or the relationship of a close friend. If you do not feel comfortable confiding in an adult, below are some resources specifically designed to help your situation:


​ Ways to Support Your Friend in An Abusive Relationship

Do’s
  • Listen to your friend.
  • Ask your friend how you can help.
  • Encourage your friend to seek help.
  • Educate yourself on dating violence and be prepared with helpful resources.
 
Don’ts
  • Blame your friend.
  • Confront the abuser yourself.

Remember, dating violence is a serious issue and those who have experienced intimate partner violence  have a greater risk of:
  • Developing eating disorders.
  • Experiencing symptoms of anxiety and/or depression.
  • Abusing illegal substances.
  • Engaging in risky sexual behavior.
  • Contemplating or committing suicide.
  • Adopting abusive patterns in their future relationships.
Don't be afraid to seek help.

Works Cited



​​​"Bulletins for Teens." Dating Violence. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.

"Prevalence of Teen Dating Violence." National Institute of Justice. Web. 24 Feb. 2017.

"Types of Abuse – Www.loveisrespect.org." Www.loveisrespect.org. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.

​"Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2013." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 June 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2017.