TEEN DATING TEEN DATING VIOLENCEVIOLENCE

FACTSFACTS

For ParentsFor Parents

Dating violence cuts across race, Dating violence cuts across race, gender and socioeconomic linesgender and socioeconomic lines

Girls more likely to yell threaten to hurt Girls more likely to yell threaten to hurt themselves, pinch, slap, scratch or kickthemselves, pinch, slap, scratch or kick

Boys injure girls more severely and Boys injure girls more severely and frequentlyfrequently

Some victims experience violence Some victims experience violence occasionallyoccasionally

Others are abused more often… Others are abused more often… sometimes dailysometimes daily

Teens are at higher risk than adultsTeens are at higher risk than adults

Females 16-24 are at highest riskFemales 16-24 are at highest risk

Approximately 1 in 5 female high school Approximately 1 in 5 female high school students report being abused physically students report being abused physically and or sexuallyand or sexually

94% of the time the abuse is from a 94% of the time the abuse is from a current or former boyfriend or girlfriendcurrent or former boyfriend or girlfriend

Half of the reported date rapes occur Half of the reported date rapes occur among teens.among teens.

Parent AwarenessParent Awareness

81% of parents surveyed either believe 81% of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it is an issue.admit they don’t know if it is an issue.

A Majority of parents (54%) admit they A Majority of parents (54%) admit they have not spoken to their children about have not spoken to their children about dating violence.dating violence.

TEEN AwarenessTEEN Awareness

25% of 14-17 year olds know at least 25% of 14-17 year olds know at least one student who is a victim, 11% one student who is a victim, 11% know multiple victims, 33% have know multiple victims, 33% have witnessed violence.witnessed violence.20% of male students witnessed another 20% of male students witnessed another student hit the person they were dating.student hit the person they were dating.39% of female students report talking 39% of female students report talking about whether someone is trying to about whether someone is trying to control the person they are datingcontrol the person they are dating..57% of teens know someone who has 57% of teens know someone who has been physically abused.been physically abused.

INCIDENT REPORTINGINCIDENT REPORTING

Female students when asked whom they would Female students when asked whom they would talk to if they were a victim:talk to if they were a victim:

1.1. 86% would confide in a friend.86% would confide in a friend.

2.2. 7% would talk to the police7% would talk to the police

3.3. 83% reported they would rather talk to a friend 83% reported they would rather talk to a friend than a teacher, parent, or counselorthan a teacher, parent, or counselor

Only 33% of victims ever told anyone about the Only 33% of victims ever told anyone about the abuse.abuse.

WARNING SIGNSWARNING SIGNS

Since dating this person your teen drops Since dating this person your teen drops activities that were important to themactivities that were important to themGrades begin to fall often to failingGrades begin to fall often to failingChange in body language, slouching, Change in body language, slouching, biting nails, little or no eye contact.biting nails, little or no eye contact.Uncharacteristic change in clothing and/or Uncharacteristic change in clothing and/or makeupmakeupContact bruises for which no logical Contact bruises for which no logical explanation fits.explanation fits.

WARNING SIGNSWARNING SIGNS

Teen is not eating, talking or acting as they Teen is not eating, talking or acting as they normally would.normally would.

Sudden mood changes.Sudden mood changes.

Daughter stopped seeing friends and family.Daughter stopped seeing friends and family.

You know your teens girlfriends or boyfriend has You know your teens girlfriends or boyfriend has a tempera temper

When your daughter’s boyfriend is around you, When your daughter’s boyfriend is around you, you notice he calls her names and puts her you notice he calls her names and puts her down.down.

PREVENTION RecommendationsPREVENTION Recommendations

1.1. Spend time with your teen.Spend time with your teen.

2.2. Talk to your teen listen listen listenTalk to your teen listen listen listen

3.3. It is okay if they get mad you ask It is okay if they get mad you ask questions. Don’t stop asking.questions. Don’t stop asking.

4.4. Do not prejudge your teens friends.Do not prejudge your teens friends.

5.5. Talk to your kids about healthy Talk to your kids about healthy relationships.relationships.

PREVENTION RecommendationsPREVENTION Recommendations

6.6. Communicate to your children that both Communicate to your children that both sexes are equal.sexes are equal.

7.7. Be a role model for your childrenBe a role model for your children8.8. Establish a trusting relationship with your Establish a trusting relationship with your

child.child.9.9. Be a detective without violating your kids Be a detective without violating your kids

privacy.privacy.10.10. Teens need you to be a parent – not Teens need you to be a parent – not

their friend.their friend.

HOUSE BILL 121HOUSE BILL 121

District will have a dating violence policy.District will have a dating violence policy.

Districts will educate staff and students Districts will educate staff and students about the issue of teen dating violence.about the issue of teen dating violence.

WEBSITEWEBSITE

www.abanet.org/publiced/teendating.shtmlwww.abanet.org/publiced/teendating.shtml

American Bar AssociationAmerican Bar Association