The teen years are the times when people generally begin dating. For too many teens, however, casual dating can turn into an abusive relationship. A recent study published by the National Institute of Justice (2007) found that 10 percent of adolescents reported being physically assaulted by a boyfriend or girlfriend within the past 12 months. Researchers believe that the rate of verbal and emotional abuse is even higher.
Violence among dating teens is linked to long-lasting emotional problems as well as physical injury. It is also a predictor of abuse in adult relationships. As such, teen relationship abuse is a major public health concern for schools, parents and the community at large.
Teen dating violence is the term most often used to refer to teenage abusive relationships. Teen dating violence includes both physical and non-physical forms of abuse, specifically:
Both boys and girls can be the abuser in a relationship. However, in cases that involve severe physical violence, girls tend to fall victim more often than boys.
The warning signs that a teenager is being abused by her romantic partner include:
Parents may also notice that their teen's partner exhibits controlling behavior, such as calling on the phone excessively to "check in." The teen's safety is of the utmost importance, so parents should step in if they suspect their teen is being abused.
For the parents of the abuser, the warning signs to look for are:
Parents who suspect their teen is abusing a dating partner need to seek help from a medical professional.
Research suggests that having past experience as a victim of abuse is the single biggest risk factor in a teen's likelihood of becoming a perpetrator of dating violence (AtHealth.com, n.d.). Medical professionals sometimes refer to this phenomenon as a cycle of abuse. Parents can help break this cycle by setting a good example of healthy ways for dealing with anger and instilling the belief that violence is not a normal part of romantic relationships.
Athealth.com. (n.d.). Dating violence: Why does it occur and how does it fit in the cycle of violence? Retrieved August 22, 2010, from http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/disorders/datingviolence.html
Focusas.com. (n.d.). Abuse: teen dating violence. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from http://www.focusas.com/Abuse-TeenDatingViolence.html.
Mulford, C and Giordano, P. at the National Institute of Justice. (2008). Teen dating violence: a closer look at adolescent romantic relationships. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/261/teen-dating-violence.htm
The California Adolescent Health Collaborative. (n.d.). Teen dating violence: keeping California adolescents safe in their relationships. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from http://www.phi.org/pdf-library/teen_violence_brief.pdf
Washington State Office of the Attorney General. (n.d.). Parent FAQs: relationship violence - help for parents. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from http://www.atg.wa.gov/page.aspx?id=1972
Witmer, D. (n.d.). Warning signs of teen dating violence. Retrieved August 22, 2010, from http://parentingteens.about.com/od/teendating/a/datingviolence.htm
Tree.com provides information on health-related topics, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Please consult your physician if you have questions or concerns.