Teen Dating Violence

Presented By:

Det. Mark Deaton & Det. Sandie Esters, Longmont Police Department

and Courtney McAlister, Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley

LEVI Quarterly TrainingFebruary 9, 2011

Messages in the Media

Agenda

• Discuss how relationship abuse is different for teenagers.

• Examine what the media teaches teenagers about relationships.

• Discuss what you can do and how to encourage teens to become critical consumers of media.

Teenage DevelopmentMiddle

AdolescenceAges 14 to 16

Late AdolescenceAges 17 to 19

Development of sense of identity

Growth of capacity to think abstractly

Risk-taking behavior Enormous influence of

peers/school environment

Peer groups gradually give way to one-on-one friendships and romances

Sense of identity established

Capacity for abstract thought in place

Capacity for realistic risk assessment

Family influence more in balance with peer influence

Serious intimate relationships begin to develop

Death

Rape and Domestic Violence

Unwanted Sexual Touch

Unwanted Physical Touch

Invasions of Space

Objectification/DehumanizationAttitudes and Beliefs

Pyramid of Violence

Electronic media “are among the most profound influences on children in this

country.”

“…this intersects with many other issues that are critically important to child health, including violence, obesity, tobacco/alcohol

use, and risky sexual behaviors.”

Christakis & Zimmerman, University of Washington, Seattle

Eminem and Rihanna“I love the way you lie”

(Opening song at 2010 VMAs)

Lyrics

Who's that dude? I don't even know his nameI laid hands on her, I'll never stoop so low again

I guess I don't know my own strength

Lyrics

Now you're getting fucking sick of looking at 'emYou swore you'd never hit 'em, Never do nothing to hurt 'em

Now you're in each other's face Spewing venom in your words when you spit them

You push pull each other's hair, scratch claw hit 'em

Throw 'em down pin 'em

Discussion

• What is the intended message?

• What is the actual message?

• Cycle of Violence

Boston Public HealthTop 10 Songs Portraying Unhealthy

Relationships

The Twilight Saga Movie Clip

Obsession

Possessiveness

Jealousy

Threats

Pressure

Stalking

Mood swings

Lies

Isolation

Changing who you are

Orders and commands

Dangerous

The Twilight Saga What is Love?

In Contrast, Love…• Is basically calm, rather than frantic.

• Is a friendship and a physical attraction.

• Accepts the need for space and freedom

• Allows for differences of opinion.

• Doesn’t force anybody to make a commitment before they’re ready to.

• Allows time for people to get to know each other.

• Won’t destroy them if they break up.

• Allows equal sharing of power and control.

• Doesn’t make unrealistic demands.

Reality TV• Jersey Shore• Teen Mom

Teen Mom

Discussion

• Does the media promote healthy relationships?

Technology

Cell Phones• Technology is almost always involved

in TDV.• Cell phones are “lifelines” for teens• Incidents will often start through

means of technology (texting, Facebook posts)

• Incident will then escalate from phones/internet to face to face encounters, etc.

Cell Phones, cont.• Many applications available• Stalking, automated calling, spoofing• Cell phone technology allows for

anonymous calls and text• Teens don’t delete items from their

phone• Teens tech IQ is very high, but their

emotional IQ is much lower

Images in Print Media

•Who is the intended audience?

•What is the intended message?

•What is the actual message?

•What beliefs and attitudes is the message reinforcing or encouraging?

Use music, movies, books, etc. as a way to engage in

conversation about relationships

Ask…

Contact InformationDet. Mark Deaton, Longmont Police Department

Mark.Deaton@ci.longmont.co.us 303.651.8517

Det. Sandie Esters, Longmont Police DepartmentSandra.Esters@ci.longmont.co.us

303.774.4720

Courtney McAlister, Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley

courtney@safeshelterofstvrain.org 303. 772.0432