Can You Spot Teen Dating Violence?

By Megan Harris:  Beacon of Hope Center Volunteer Victim Advocate and Guest Blogger

Domestic violence isn’t just an adult issue anymore.  1 in 3 teens are involved in an abusive dating relationship.  Although 82 percent of parents claim to know the signs of teen dating violence, only 58 percent of parents could correctly recognize the warning signs of teen dating violence.(1)  Parents aren’t the only people who can miss the warning signs.  Classmates and teachers have to be aware of the possibility of teen dating violence occurring in their school.  It’s what your friends are saying that can be the biggest clues of all.  So what are the signs to look for that will give a red flag for teen dating violence?(2)

If a person in the relationship:

• Checks their partner’s phone or email without their consent
• Frequently puts them down with insults
• Becomes jealous easily
• Has an unpredictable temper
• Demands to know their schedule at all times
• Starts to separate them from their friends and family
• Tells them what to do
• Physically or verbally injures them in any way
• Becomes very possessive
• Criticizes their appearance, body or clothes
• Blames them for their failures or problems
• Demands immediate responses to texts, calls or emails

If any of these signs sound familiar, then you or someone you know may be in an abusive teen relationship.  The signs may start out subtle and that is why everyone needs to be educated about teen dating violence.  Beacon of Hope Center for Women has a Teen Talk Outreach and Education Program that focus’ on educating teens about prevention and what healthy relationships look like by visiting schools and other organizations to speak to students.  Indiana’s rate of teen violence is almost 2 percent higher than the national average.(3) This is a percentage that we can change and even aim to decrease.  Teen violence isn’t new, just like domestic violence between adults isn’t new.  Both of these issues can be prevented and need to be addressed in our community. 

• Are you a teacher or do you work with teens and want to educate yourself more on teen dating violence? The CDC is offering a free online training module called “Dating Matters”

Learn more at: http://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/datingmatters/#

• Are you a teen and are you in a relationship?  Want to know if it’s a healthy relationship?

Take a quiz and find out by visiting: http://www.loveisrespect.org/for-someone-else/is-my-relationship-healthy-quiz/

• To schedule a Teen Talk event  at your school or organization please contact Beacon of Hope Center for Women at 317-731-6131

We want everyone to be prepared, know the signs for teen dating violence, and be educated about teen dating violence prevention.
 
References:

1. www.teendvmonth.org/research
2. http://www.icadvinc.org/prevention/for-teens/relationship-rights/
   
3. http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/news/article_6d791852-3227-11e5-abcb-539cce109605.html