Family Violence Council: For Teens

FOR TEENS

Dating abuse isn't an argument every once in a while, or a bad mood after a bad day. Dating or relationship abuse is a pattern of controlling behavior that someone uses against a girlfriend or boyfriend.

Abuse can cause injury and even death, but it doesn't have to be physical. It can include verbal and emotional abuse - frequent insults, isolation from family and friends, trying to control the other person’s choices in dress, activities, or friends, constant text messages or phone calls---and it can also include sexual abuse.

Dating Abuse Fast Facts
Are You Being Abused?
Teen Dating Bill of Rights and Pledge

Dating Abuse Fast Facts

In March 2006, Liz Claiborne Inc. commissioned as study on teen dating abuse.
The findings were astounding: an alarming numbers of teens experience and accept abusive behavior in dating relationships. Many teens also feel physically and sexually threatened.

1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.
1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they've been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner.
1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say their boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.
1 in 3 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age if they're in a relationship; half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they were afraid the relationship would break up if they did not give in.
Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted as a result of pressure.

Are You Being Abused?

Does something about your relationship scare you? Take the most important quiz of your life and know that help is available if you pass.

Does your boyfriend/girlfriend:

Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
Act jealous or possessive?
Put you down or criticize you?
Try to control where you go, what you wear or what you do?
Text or IM you excessively?
Blame you for the hurtful things they say and do?
Threaten to kill or hurt you or themselves if you leave?
Try to stop you from seeing or talking to friends and family?
Try to force you to have sex before you're ready?
Do they hit, slap, push or kick you?

If you said yes to even one, you may be in an abusive relationship. Call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (www.loveisrespect.org) at 1-866-331-9474 (1-866-331-8453 TTY) if you need to talk, 24 hours a day. You can also chat online from 5 pm – 3 am EST. All calls and chats are anonymous and confidential.

Teen Dating Bill of Rights and Pledge

I have the right:

To always be treated with respect.

To be in a healthy relationship.

To not be hurt physically or emotionally.

To refuse sex or affection at anytime.

To have friends and activities apart from my boyfriend or girlfriend.

To end a relationship.

I pledge to:

Always treat my boyfriend or girlfriend with respect.

Never hurt my boyfriend or girlfriend physically, verbally, or emotionally.

Respect my girlfriend's or boyfriend's decisions concerning sex and affection.

Not be controlling or manipulative in my relationship.

Accept responsibility for myself and my actions.