Dating Violence
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Dating Violence Occurs among all races, ages, religions, and socio-economic levels. No state, no city, no community is immune.
Connect. Communicate. Express yourself through words, paint, photography, videos-whatever medium breaks the silence.
Do you ever feel uncomfortable, afraid, confused or trapped in your relationship?
You are not alone. Teen dating violence is a growing problem in every corner of the country and around the globe. It is happening in every high school and in every social clique. Relationships are difficult, especially your first ones and sometimes it is hard to recognize the boundaries between healthy and abusive interactions. But as a victim it is not your fault- it is NEVER your fault.
You’re here because you are looking for help…
The first step toward changing things is to recognize that the situation is abusive. Use the links to determine what you should do to protect yourself, your friends, or your teen. Love is not obsession and expression of love does not justify fear or control.
So, what is teen dating violence?
Teen dating violence is a pattern of behavior where one person uses threats of or actual physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse to control his or her partner. This form of violence can include verbal abuse, written materials, excessive communication (texts, emails, or phone calls), use of weapons, the destruction of property, stalking, and other forms of intimidation
- Any behavior in a romantic or intimate relationship that is intended to establish an unequal balance of power and control and includes verbal, emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, economic, and social harm to one or both people is teen dating violence
- Any acts committed by one partner against another in a dating/intimate relationship that are committed to degrade/injure the other partner and that take away/destroy the aspects of a good/healthy relationship is an example of teen dating violence
Becky's Fund Resources:
Am I in An Abusive Relationship?
Seventeen Magazine's Article on Dating Violence
How To End An Abusive Relationship
How to Help a Friend who is a Victim
Additional Links:
Break the Cycle educates teens about healthy dating relationships and engages them to speak out against domestic violence. Break the Cycle also helps with legal services of those 12-24 years old who are victims of dating abuse. They can be reached at: 202.824.0707 or legalservices@breakthecycle.org
The Safe Space is a project of Break the Cycle. It is an interactive website, where you can ask any question, take quizzes to see if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, receive help, take action or learn to stay safe. This website is also available in Spanish.
Love is Not Abuse is an informative website associated with Liz Claiborne Inc, targeted to prevent dating violence in teenagers. The site is an educational tool that can be used by anyone to learn how to help stop the cycle of abuse. It also has great advice for teens in abusive situations and how to talk to adults on getting help.
Love is Respect is the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline that is partnered with Love is Not Abuse. This site helps teenagers recognize when they are in an abusive relationship and gives information about how to help friends who are in danger. Love is Respect has ways to get involved, toolkits and resources.
Love is Respect has a Dating Abuse Hotline that can be reached at: (866) 331-9474 or (866) 331-8453.
A Thin Line is MTV's website that focuses on digital disrespect - sexting, constant texting, and others spying on your emails and texts. Facts, quizzes, help and support are all on the website.
See It and Stop It! is a website for teenagers that teaches about healthy relationships and offers information targeted for a young audience learning about the dating violence. This website is a great beginning to a group or organization who want to bring awareness of dating violence. They have a resource kit with quizzes, stats, posters and brochures to hand out.
No Means Know is the Idaho Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Project. Based out of Idaho, it is still a useful online resource for teenagers to spot warning signs and get help if they or someone they know happens to be in an unsafe relationship.
Stay Strong. Choose Respect. Expect Respect!