Dating Violence with Teens

This article is brought to you by the St. Hubert Domestic Violence Outreach Ministry.

Dating Violence with Teens

Anyone can be a victim of dating violence. Both boys and girls are victims, but boys and girls abuse their partners in different ways. Girls are more likely to yell, threaten to hurt themselves, pinch, slap, scratch, or kick. Boys injure girls more and are more likely to punch their partner and force them to participate in unwanted sexual activity. Some teen victims experience physical violence only occasionally; others, more often.
 
Dating violence is controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. It can happen in romantic relationships at any age. It can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or a combination.
 
Controlling behavior may include:
Not letting you hang out with your friends; calling or texting you frequently to find out where you are, whom you're with, and what you're doing; telling you what to wear; having to be with you all the time.
 
Verbal and emotional abuse may include:
Calling you names; jealousy; belittling you (cutting you down); threatening to hurt you, someone in your family, or himself or herself if you don't do what he or she wants.
 
Physical abuse may include:
Shoving, punching, slapping, pinching, hitting, kicking, hair pulling, or strangling.
 
Sexual abuse may include:
Unwanted touching and kissing; forcing you to have sex; forcing you to do other sexual things.
 
Get Help
Being a victim of dating violence is not your fault. Nothing you say, wear, or do gives anyone the right to hurt you.  If you think you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately. Don't keep your concerns to yourself. Talk to someone you trust like a parent, teacher, school principal, counselor, or nurse.
 
Help Yourself
Think about ways you can be safer. This means thinking about what to do, where to go for help, and who to call ahead of time.
 
Help Friends in Abusive Relationships
Be a good listener; offer your friendship and support; encourage your friend to seek help; educate yourself about dating violence and healthy relationships; avoid any confrontations with the abuser. This could be dangerous for you and your friend.
 
Reference:  https://victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/get-help-bulletins-for-crime-victims/bulletins-for-teens/dating-violence - National Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474