Teen Dating Violence - Violence in a Dating Relationship

You're not alone

• One in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship.
• 50 percent to 80 percent of teens have reported knowing others who were involved in violent relationships.
• 15 percent of teen girls and boys have reported being victims of severe dating violence (defined as being hit, thrown down, or attacked with a weapon).
• 8 percent of 8th and 9th grade students have reported being victims of sexual dating violence.
• Young women, ages 16 to 24 years, experience the highest rates of relationship violence.

Get help

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  Being a victim of dating violence is not your fault. Nothing you say, wear, or do gives anyone the right to hurt you.
• If you think you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately. Don't keep your concerns to yourself.
• Talk to someone you trust like a parent, teacher, school principal, counselor or nurse.
• If you choose to tell, you should know that some adults are mandated reporters. This means they are legally required to report neglect or abuse to someone else, like the police or child protective services. You can ask people if they are mandated reporters and then decide what you want to do. Some examples of mandated reporters are teachers, counselors, doctors, social workers, and in some cases, even coaches or activity leaders. If you want to help deciding who to talk to, call our Helpline at 1-800-FYI-CALL, or an anonymous crisis line in your area. You might also want to talk to a trusted family member, a friend's parent, an adult neighbor or friend, an older sibling or cousin, or other experienced person who you trust.

If you want to get advice about who to talk to, call National Center for Victims of Crime helpline (1-800-FYI-CALL) or an anonymous crisis hotline in your area. You might also want to talk to a trusted family member, a friend's parent, an adult neighbor or friend, an older sibling or cousin, or other experienced person who you trust.

Help yourself

Think about ways you can be safer. This means thinking about what to do, where to go for help, and who to call ahead of time.

• Where can you go for help?
• Who can you call?
• Who will help you?
• How will you escape a violent situation?

Here are other precautions you can take:

• Let friends or family know when you are afraid or need help.
• When you go out, say where you are going and when you'll be back
• In an emergency call 911 or your local police department
• Memorize important phone numbers like the people to contact or places to go in an emergency
• Keep spare change, calling cards, or a cell phone handy for immediate access to communication
• Go out in a group with other couples
• Have money available for transportation if you need to take a taxi, bus, or subway to escape

Things to do when you are ending an abusive relationship:

• Tell someone you trust that you are afraid.
• Let others know where you are going.
• Avoid being alone with your partner.
• Call the police or 911 in an emergency.
• Go to court for a protective order.
• Vary your route to school, work and your home.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and stay safe.

Help someone else

If you know someone who might be in an abusive relationship, you can help.

• Tell the person that you are worried
• Be a good listener
• Offer your friendship and support
• Ask how you can help
• Encourage your friend to seek help
• Educate yourself about dating violence and healthy relationships
• Avoid any confrontations with the abuser. This could be dangerous for you and your friend.

Prevention

• Parent's Guide to Internet Safety (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
• Preventing the Sexual Exploitation of Children (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
• Protecting Children From Sexual Abuse (American Psychological Association)
• Sexual Abuse Prevention (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Source:
The National Center for Victims of Crime

next: What is Psychological Abuse of a Child?