A great resources is the National Domestic Violence Hotline via their website http://www.ndvh.org/. CBS News Anchor Katie Curic has hosted a story on Teen Dating Violence that is available via their website.
Is it a big deal?
So just how prevalent is Teen Dating Violence in America? Well if you look at the statistics it is a growing issue.
- 1 in 10 teenagers reports being a victim of physical dating violence.
- 1 in 4 teenagers reports verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse each year.
- 72% of 8th and 9th graders report "dating."
The statistics above highlight the likelihood you or someone you know has or will experience violence in a dating relationship. Dating violence can take many forms, including psychological and emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. It can occur in the context of casual dating or serious long-term relationships.
Psychological and Emotional Abuse
If a boyfriend or girlfriend humiliates, insults, or swears at you, you are experiencing psychological and emotional abuse. Other examples include: attempting to control a boyfriend or girlfriend’s activities, trying to destroy his or her self-confidence and self-esteem, and isolating the person from other friends and family. Threats of violence are also abusive and should always be taken seriously.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes such things as: hitting, slapping, punching, shoving, kicking, biting, and hair-pulling. It also includes the use of a weapon, such as a club, knife, or gun against a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Bother teenage boys and teenage girls report being victims of physical violence in relationships. Typically, however, teenage boys and teenage girls use physical force for different reasons and with different results. While both tend to report acting violently because they were angry, teenage boys are much more likely to use force in order to control their girlfriends, while girls more often act violently in self-defense.
Teenage girls suffer more from relationship violence, emotionally and physically. They are much more likely than teenage boys to have serious injuries and to report being terrified. In contrast, male victims seldom seem to fear violence by their dates or girlfriends, often saying that the attacks did not hurt and that they found the violence amusing.
Sexual Abuse
The term, sexual abuse, refers to forced or unwanted sexual activity or rape. It is also considered sexual abuse to coerce or pressure someone to engage in sexual activity or try to engage in sexual activity with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Teenage girls in heterosexual relationships are much more likely than teenage boys to suffer from sexual abuse.
How to help a teen victim of dating violence
- Listen and believe him/her. Don’t ask blaming questions. Remind them that the violence is not his/her fault.
- Talk openly and without judgment. Don’t ask, “Why don’t you just break up with this?”
- Support their efforts to control their own life. Don’t expect them to follow all of your advice.
- Read inside on what you can do to help
