Teen Dating Violence

What is it?

Teen dating violence is a form of abuse, or threat of abuse, that occurs between teens who are dating or have previously dated. It can happen in person, through text messages, or online and on social media. Teen dating violence can take many forms, including:

• Physical: Hitting, kicking, or other acts of physical harm
• Emotional/Psychological: Verbal or non-verbal behaviors that harm another person, such as name-calling, shaming, isolating them from friends and family, or constantly monitoring their location
• Sexual: Pressuring or forcing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, including sending unwanted sexual messages or images, or coercing someone to send them
• Stalking: Repeated, unwanted attention or contact that causes fear or distress

How common is it?

Teen dating violence is more common than many people realize. Among teens who reported dating in the past year:

• Approximately 6.9% experienced sexual dating violence, with higher rates reported among girls (10.7%) and gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens (15.8%)
• About 1 in 12 teens experienced physical dating violence

Recognizing the warning signs and encouraging healthy relationships can help teens stay safe and get support when needed.

What are the effects?

Teens in these relationships are more likely to continue to be victims or perpetrators of violence throughout their lives. They are more likely to experience anxiety and depression, or consider suicide. They are more likely to use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco and engage in unhealthy or unsafe sexual behaviors.

How can you help?

Whether you are a teen, a parent, a teacher, or someone in the community, it is important to start learning about teen dating violence and have open and honest conversations about what healthy relationships look like.

As we begin to talk to our pre-teens (as young as 11 years old) about puberty, we should also begin discussing healthy versus unhealthy relationships.

Break the Cycle has created “A Parent’s Handbook: How to Talk to Youth about Healthy Relationships.”: https://www.breakthecycle.org/sites/default/files/LINA_Parent.pdf

The CDC has created a free online training course for Teen Dating Violence: https://vetoviolence.cdc.gov/apps/datingmatters/

For much more information, visit one of these websites:

• https://www.breakthecycle.org/
• https://www.loveisrespect.org/

How to get help

If you are concerned you may be in an abusive relationship:

• Call 1-866-331-9474
• TTY 1-866-331-8453
• Text: loveis to 22522