Teen Dating Violence

Dating violence is when one person in a relationship uses abuse to get power and control over their girlfriend or boyfriend. It can include emotional, verbal, sexual or physical abuse, threats, or isolation from friends and family.

Did You Know?

• Women ages 16 to 24 are three times more likely to experience intimate partner violence than women of other age groups.
• 1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or a peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner.
• Of the women between the ages of 15- 19 murdered each year, 30% are killed by a husband or boyfriend.

Early Warning Signs:

Are you going out with someone who…

• Acts extremely jealous when you talk to other girls/guys
• Calls you names and puts you down
• Is always checking up on you, calling or paging, and has to know where you are and who you are with
• Loses their temper, maybe even hits or breaks things when they are mad
• Isolates you from your friends and family
• Gets too serious about the relationship too fast
• Doesn't accept responsibility for their actions
• Tries to control you by giving orders, making all the decisions, tell you what you should and should not do

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, help is available. It is important that you talk to a trusted adult about what is going on - there are lots of people you can talk to. A parent, friend's parent, teacher, guidance counselor, principal, family member, doctor, religious leader- and you can always call the Advocacy Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 277-5000.

Visit the Liz Claiborne, Inc. Love is Not Abuse website at www.lovesisnotabuse.com for more statistics and information on teen dating violence.