Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

by Mescalero Apache Tribe | February 1, 2021 3:05 pm

Information provided by Mescalero Violence Against Women

The month of February is nationally recognized as Teen Dating Awareness Month.

Dating/domestic violence occurs when one person uses physical, psychological, emotional, sexual or financial abuse to achieve power and control over another person.

Results of a recent national survey indicate that approximately 12 percent of high school students have experienced physical dating violence.

Research into the dynamics of dating violence has exposed the difference between teen dating violence and adult abusive relationships.

Most importantly, findings have suggested that non-sexual violence in dating relationships is equally perpetrated by both males and females.

However, research also shows that females suffer more negative consequences of violence directed at them, especially in terms of physical harm.

Risk factors for both inflicting and sustaining dating violence that have been identified in the research literature are discussed and include prior exposure to violence, attitudes that violence is acceptable, peer influence, and the presence of other problem behaviors such as drug use and engagement in risky sexual behaviors.

Facts About Teen Dating Violence

• Roughly 1.5 million high school boys and girls in the U.S. admit to being intentionally hit or physically harmed in the last year by someone they are romantically involved with.
• Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide and violent behavior.
• 1 in 3 young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship.
• 33% of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal or emotional dating abuse.
• In the U.S., 25% of high school girls have been abused physically or sexually. Teen girls who are abused this way are 6 times more likely to become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Females between the ages of 16 and 24 are roughly 3 times more likely than the rest of the population to be abused by an intimate partner.
• 8 states in the U.S. do not consider a violent dating relationship domestic abuse. Therefore, adolescents, teens and 20+ year-olds are unable to apply for a restraining order for protection from abuser.
• Violent behavior often begins between 6^th and 12^th grade, as 72% of 13 and 14-year-olds are dating.
• 50% of young people who experience rape, sexual assault or physical violence will attempt to commit suicide.
• Only 1/3 of the teens who were involved in an abusive relationship confided in someone about the violence.
• Teens who have been abused hesitate to seek help because they do not want to expose themselves or are unaware of the laws surrounding domestic violence.
• Teen dating violence is extremely common in LGBTQ relationships. Up to 50% of LGBTQ individuals will be abused by a dating partner.

Healthy Relationships

A healthy relationship means that both you and your partner demonstrate:

Respect

Treating one another as an equal and whole human being. Valuing each other’s thoughts, feelings and opinions.

Communication

Talk openly about problems and listen in a non-judgmental way. Affirm and understand each other’s thoughts, feelings and opinions.

Trust and Support

Believing what one another says. Supporting each other’s choice of friends, activities, goals and opinions.

Source URL: https://mescaleroapachetribe.com/13905/teen-dating-violence-awareness-month/

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