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Teen Dating Violence Offers
Jennifer Ann's Group is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of teen dating violence. Teen dating violence is a problem affecting approximately one in four adolescents with verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Teen dating violence among peers is reported by 54% of high school students. One in three teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been physically hurt by his or her partner through teen dating violence actions which included hitting, punching, kicking, slapping, and/or choking. The majority of teen dating violence occurs in the home of one of the partners.
Teen Dating Violence
(from CDC.gov)Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Dating violence often starts with teasing and name calling. These behaviors are often thought to be a “normal” part of a relationship. But these behaviors can lead to more serious violence like physical assault and rape.
What is dating violence?
Teen dating violence is defined as the physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional violence within a dating relationship. You may have heard several different words used to describe teen dating violence.
Adolescents and adults are often unaware how regularly dating violence occurs. In a nationwide survey, 9.9 percent of high school students report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the 12 months prior to the survey. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.) What are the consequences of dating violence?
As teens develop emotionally, they are heavily influenced by their relationship experiences. Healthy relationship behaviors can have a positive effect on a teen’s emotional development. Unhealthy, abusive or violent relationships can cause short term and long term negative effects, or consequences to the developing teen. Victims of teen dating violence are more likely to do poorly in school, and report binge drinking, suicide attempts, and physical fighting. Victims may also carry the patterns of violence into future relationships.
Why Does Dating Violence Happen?
Treat others with respect. This idea may seem like common sense but the truth is, quite a few teens are involved in violent relationships. And many think it's justified. After all, society seems to be okay with it, just look at all the TV shows and listen to popular songs these days. Violence is never acceptable. But there are reasons why it happens.