Facts and Figures
|
 |
Approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
o Silverman, et. al., 2001
|
|
In a Liz Clairborne Inc. study, 62% of tweens (age 11-14) who have been in a relationship say they know friends who have been verbally abused (called stupid, worthless, ugly, etc.) by a boyfriend/girlfriend.
o Liz Claiborne, Teen Research Unlimited Survey, released July 2008
|
|
Forty percent of girls age 14 to 17 reports knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
o Children Now/Kaiser Permanente Poll, December 1995
|
|
In a survey of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students, 40% answered 'yes' to the question, "have you ever been hurt physically or sexually by a date or someone you were going out with?"
o Tham, K., et al., 2000
|
|
In a study of eighth and ninth graders, 25% indicated that they had been victims of dating violence, including 8% who disclosed being sexually abused.
o Foshee, et. al, 1996
|
|
In a study of 724 adolescent mothers between the ages of 12-18, one of every eight pregnant adolescents reported having been physically assaulted by the father of her baby during the preceding 12 months. Of these, 40% also reported experiencing violence at the hands of a family member or relative.
o Wiemann, et. al., 2000
|
|
In a survey of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer identified youth, 49% of the respondents reported feeling abused by a partner in a past relationship.
o Silverman, et. al., 2001
|
|
71% of teens regard boyfriends/girlfriends spreading rumors about them on cell phones and social networking sites as a serious problem.
|
|
68% of teens say boyfriends/girlfriends sharing private or embarrassing pictures/videos on cell phones and computers is a serious problem.
|
|
Nearly 1 in 4 teens in a relationship communicated with their partner via cell phone or texting HOURLY between midnight and 5:00am.
|
|
One in three teens say they are text messaged 10, 20, 30 times an hour by a partner inquiring where they are, what they're doing, or who they're with.
|
|
One in four teens in a relationship say they have been called names, harassed, or put down by their partner through cell phones and texting.
|
|
One in five teens in a relationship have been asked to engage in sex by cell phone or the Internet when they do not want to.
Source: Teenage Research Unlimited, Technology & Teen Dating Abuse Survey, 2007
|
Warning Signs of Abuse in Teen Dating Relationships
|
|
Verbal abuse including name calling and put downs
|
|
Extreme jealousy
|
|
Canceling plans at the last minute, monitoring and other controlling behavior
|
|
Uncontrolled anger, partner is cruel to animals and/or children
|
|
Isolation from family and friends
|
|
Dramatic mood changes, hyper-sensitivity
|
|
Injuries
|
|
Quick progression of the relationship
|
|
Partner believes in rigid sex roles
|
|
Weight, appearance or grades have changed dramatically signs of depression, which could indicate abuse
|
|
Use of drugs/alcohol by their partner
|
Safety Planning for Teens
You should think ahead about ways to be safe if you are in a dangerous or potentially dangerous relationship. Here are some things to consider in designing your own safety plan.
|
|
What adults can you tell about the violence and abuse?
|
|
What people at school can you tell in order to be safe--teachers, principal, counselors, security?
|
|
Consider changing your route to/from school.
|
|
Use a buddy system for going to school, classes and after school activities.
|
|
What friends can you tell to help you remain safe?
|
|
If stranded, who could you call for a ride home?
|
|
Keep a journal describing the abuse.
|
|
Get rid of or change the number to any beepers, pagers or cell phones.
|
|
Keep spare change, calling cards, number of the local shelter, number of someone who could help you and restraining orders with you at all times.
|
|
Where could you go quickly to get away from an abusive person?
|
|
What other things can you do?
|
| |
Teens Talk to Teens Who are Victims
How to Help a Friend in an Abusive Relationship
|
|
Listen - don't judge
|
|
Point out the different types of abuse
|
|
Express your concerns
|
|
Encourage your friend to create a safety plan
|
|
Support
your friend's strengths
|
|
Reach out to adults for help
|
|
Talk to the abusive partner, if you feel safe doing it
|
|
Be there, listen and stay there
|
|
Keep educating yourself about dating violence
|
