Teen Dating Violence: What You Should Know and How You Can Help

February 1, 2010

Did you know…

  • Teens are at higher risk of intimate partner abuse than adults. (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, (Nov. 5, 2001).)
  • One in three teens reports knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped or physically hurt by their dating partner. (Liz Claiborne Inc., Conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited, (February 2005).)
  • Only 33% of teens who were in an abusive relationship ever told anyone about the abuse. (Liz Claiborne Inc., Conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited, (February 2005).)
  • In 2009, 6% of 11th grade students in Oregon had been intentionally hit, slapped, or physically hurt by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past 12 months. (2009 Oregon Healthy Teens Survey, Dept of Human Services)

Dating violence isn’t just a bad mood after a bad day; it’s a pattern of behavior that can include physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse.

Healthy Relationships

Love and abuse are two very different things. Every relationship should be respectful and safe. Want to know if you're in a healthy relationship? Answering these questions can help you figure out. And this handbook can tell you what you should know about dating violence.

Help is Available

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, help is available. Call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474 or check out Love is Respect.

How Parents Can Help

It may feel uncomfortable to talk with your kids about dating violence, but open communication and support can be key in helping your child develop and maintain healthy relationships. The effects of dating violence can be extremely negative: Intimate partner violence among adolescents is associated with increased risk of substance use, unhealthy weight control behaviors, sexual risk behaviors, pregnancy, and suicide. (Molidor, Tolman, & Kober, (2000); National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, (2001).)

Unfortunately, a majority of parents admit they’ve not spoken to their child about dating violence. (Empower Program, sponsored by Liz Claiborne Inc. and conducted by Knowledge Networks, Social Control, Verbal Abuse, and Violence Among Teenagers, (2000).)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created these helpful tips on how to have this important conversation with your children.
 

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