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TEEN DATING VIOLENCE
Dating violence occurs when one or both parties in the relationship exert power and control onto one another. Teenagers may experience battering in their relationship, yet not speak due to shame, fear, or the thought that it isn't a big deal. Dating violence can take many forms including:
PHYSICAL
The intentional act of physical bodily harm unto another individual.
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VERBAL/EMOTIONAL
Abusive language or behavior that intimidates, degrades, or manipulates an individual.
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SEXUAL
Occurs when the opportunity to provide consent is taken away or consent is ignored during sexual acts.
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DIGITAL
The use of technology to exert power and control.
FACTS & STATISTICS
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Nearly 1 in 11 female and approximately 1 in 15 male high school students report having experienced physical dating violence in the last year.
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81% of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don't know if it's an issue.
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Roughly 1.5 million U.S. high school boys and girls admit to being hit or physically harmed in the last year by someone they are romantically involved with.
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43% of reported cases of dating violence occurred in a high school building or on high school grounds.
PREVENTION
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Set the Tone: Foster the environment where open communication and vulnerability is okay. Help your teenager establish and maintain boundaries.
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Positivity: Check-in daily but don't ask open ended questions. Maintain positive influences such as extracurricular activities, sports, and mentoring programs.
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Involvement: Speak with your teenager about how they can assist with helping their friends. Know when to get involved. Talk about healthy behaviors.
National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline (866) 331-9474
National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 656-4673
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