Teen Dating Violence

Teen dating violence is a pattern of coercive, intimidating, or manipulative behaviors used to exert power and control over a partner. Often, dating violence can accelerate to a series of abusive behaviors over time. It is vital to catch dating violence early on to reduce the long-term effects often felt by victims. Research shows that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men who experienced rape, physical violence, and stalking by an intimate partner first experienced some form of dating violence between 11 and 17 years of age. Young women are particularly the most vulnerable and are more likely to suffer long-term behavioral and health effects such as suicide attempts, eating disorders, and drug use. 

Dating violence among teens and young adults can violate an individual’s feeling of safety at home, school, and online. If you feel you may be in danger, seek support and remember you are not alone. Developing a safety plan can help relieve some of the impact of dating violence and bring back a sense of hope and safety to your life. 

At Home: 

• Keep important phone numbers and contact information in a safe place 
• Identify someone you trust at home such as family or roommate(s) 
• Make a plan for what you will do if the perpetrator shows up 

At School: 

• Know your school’s specified abuse policy 
• Contact campus security guards, school resource officers, or campus police 
• Identify a person you feel most comfortable opening up to about your situation (remember that most school employees are mandated reporters, meaning they’re required by law to report your situation to authorities if you’ve been abused) 

Online: 

• Document any emails, text messages, social media activity and other digital activity that contains evidence of abuse 
• Ask people not to post personal information or location check-ins about you on social media 
• Adjust your social media privacy settings to reduce the amount of information people can see 
• Change your passwords for social media accounts, emails, and other online accounts 
• Keep a password on your phone and update it regularly