Family Division 

• Every year, approximately 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner

• 3 in 4 parents have never talked to their children about domestic violence

What is teen dating violence?

Teen dating violence is defined as a pattern of abuse or threat of abuse against teenaged dating partners.  It can occur in different forms, including verbal, emotional, physical, sexual, or digital abuse.  Teen dating violence occurs across diverse groups and cultures.  Although the dynamics of teen dating violence are similar to adult domestic violence, the forms and experience of teen dating violence, as wlel as the challenges in seeking and providing services, make the problem of teen dating violence unique.

Signs of teen dating violence

• Excessive jealousy or insecurity
• Invasions of your privacy
• Unexpected bouts of anger or rage
• Unusual moodiness
• Pressuring a partner into unwanted sexual activity
• Blaming you for problems in the relationship and not taking any responsibility for the same
• Controlling tendencies
• Explosive temper
• Preventing you from going out with or talking with other people
• Constantly monitoring your whereabouts and checking in to see what you are doing and who you are with
• Falsely accusing you of things
• Vandalizing or ruining your personal property
• Taunting or bullying
• Threatening or causing physical violence 

What can you do to help?

If you are a parent, talk to your teens about the warning signs of teen dating violence and encourage them to seek help if they experience this type of violence.

If you are a young person and have experienced teen dating violence or know someone who has, please tell a trusted adult or contact law enforcement to report this abuse.

Resources

For more information please visit:

Teen Dating Violence at www.teendvmonth.org

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence at www.nrcdv.org/dvam/tdvam