Not many people are aware of abusive relationships among teens. People however, are more familiar with abuse that is within a marriage or between a parent and a child. Abuse comes in many forms, verbal, emotional, physical and sexual. It is important for parents, friends and teens to know what abuse is, warning signs of abuse, and how to help someone who is in an abusive relationship.
ABUSE-
When a person in a relationship
inflicts pain on
their partner verbally,
emotionally, physically
or sexually.
VERBAL ABUSE and EMOTIONAL ABUSE-
Induce injury to a persons self-esteem.
For example, when a girlfriend
or boyfriend humiliates, insults,
swears or tries to control
someone in the relationship.
PHYSICAL ABUSE-
Causes injury or harm by hitting,
slapping, kicking, punching, or bites,
pull hair or harm someone with a
weapon such as a knife or a gun.
SEXUAL ABUSE-
Forcing unwanted sexual activity
by kissing, inappropriate sexual
comments, touching and intercourse.
WARNING SIGNS-
Constant communication
Jealousy issues
Emotional changes
Isolation
Control
Making excuses for their partner
Always feeling the need to impress
look at the background of your son or
daughter’s partner, just by looking
at where they come from and how
they grew up can be of some help
to know if they will act in an
abusive manner.
SOLUTIONS-
Always keep the lines of communication open
Let the abused person know
there is always someone to talk to,
like a counselor,teacher, parent,
or a trusted adult
Support the person
Suggest options
Believe the person
There are also help phone lines,
such as:
Crisis Help Line
1-800-233-4357
National Youth Crisis Line
1-800-448-4663
Child Help USA
1-800-4-A-CHILD
National Hotline
1-800-999-999
FACTS AND STATISTICS- "Violence is about power and control…it is always a part of a larger pattern to try and control you”, (pg 1, Teen Dating Violence) “One recent national survey found that 1 in 11 high school students said they had been hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year”, (pg.1 Safeyouth.org) "In teenage boys, they seem to not be so afraid of violence if it was coming from their girlfriend, it is almost considered cute or adorable to see a girl trying to act tough and in control. Girls use violence mostly for self defense, where as boys use violence as a force of control, (pg.1, SafeYouth.org). "teenage girls in heterosexual relationships are much more likely than teenage boys to suffer from sexual abuse”, (pg.1 SafeYouth.org).
REFRENCES: Teen Dating Violence, http://www.wcstx.com/teendatv.htm Warning Signs of Teen Dating Abuse http://www.oprah.com Teen Facts-Teen Dating http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/dating.asp
Teenagers are ready to face the world and try new things, like dating. Teenagers are new to this concept so they might not be as aware of abusive relationships happening to them so early on. Most people are aware of abuse happening in families and not so focused on abuse in teen dating. Keeping the lines of communication open is very important, letting the person who is in an abusive relationship know that there is always someone there, can be helpful and even might save their lives.Thanks for checking out my website!Helpful Links
Teen Dating Violence
Teen Dating Violence
What's Abuse
Teen Dating Violence