Teen Violence

A recent survey should make parents sit up and pay more attention to their kids. The survey reports that there is a high level of abuse occurring in dating relationships among teens and even among “tweens,” defined as children ages 11 to 14.

Among the tweens who participated in the survey, they gave answers as follows:

* 62 percent said someone they know has been verbally abused

* 36 percent said they know someone who has been pressured to do things against their will

* 15 percent said they know peers whose dates forced them to have sex

* 20 percent of respondents age 13-14 said they know a peer who is in a physically abusive relationship

* Almost 70 percent who had sex by the time they were age 14 reported having been abused

* Over 50 percent said they were not aware of the telltale warning signs that indicate a bad relationship

Dating violence, much like domestic or intimate violence, is a means resorted to by the perpetrator to control and dominate his or her victim through intimidation, threats and actual abuse (whether physical, emotional, verbal and sexual).

Teen dating violence occurs in all racial and ethnic groups, religions and cultures, socio-economic status, and parts of the United States. Previous researches have shown that many teenage offenders were themselves victims of child abuse or family violence. Abusers are likely to be controlling, quick to anger, possessive, and jealous.

Studies show that the attitude of teens, both male and female, about dating violence is that the physical or sexual aggression is something to be expected and may even be considered normal. The consequence is that some victims do not regard the violence that occurs as a criminal behavior, and therefore, not an offense to be reported.

A previous study has indicated how teen dating violence has reached epidemic proportions in the country. It found that 25 percent to 40 percent of all U.S. teenagers have at one time or another been victims of dating violence. In 8 out of 10 such incidents, violence was physical (shoving, slapping, hitting and grabbing).

The greater risk to children is that the violence is likely to become repetitive and could intensify over time. A number of teens have died, as a result of homicide committed by a current or former mate or date.

In response to these studies, the National Association of Attorneys General has called for the inclusion of teen dating violence in the curriculum of schools in every state.

Safety Tips:

* Observe your teen or tween. An abusive teen relationship may be indicated by sudden changes in personality (e.g. nervousness around the other person) and controlling behavior (e.g. hogging the child’s free time, calling too often).

* Be more involved. Know your child’s friends (actual, virtual friends on the Internet, text-mates) and the degree of their involvement with the boyfriend or girlfriend.