SafetyIssues Personal and Public Safety News Articles: Dating Violence Common among Teens

Dating Violence Common among Teens
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Staff writer for safetyissues.com on 07/14/08 06:25:00
 
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.