By Dominique DiVece

Abusive Teen Relationships

One in three high school students have or will be involved in an abusive relationship.

A survey of 500 young women, ages 15 to 24, found that 60 percent were currently involved in an ongoing abusive relationship and all participants had experienced violence in a dating relationship.

One in three teens reports knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped or physically hurt by a partner, and 45 percent of girls know a friend or peer who has been pressured into having either intercourse or oral sex.

Nearly one in three sexually active adolescent girls in ninth to twelfth grade (31.5 percent) report ever experiencing physical or sexual violence from dating partners.

Statistics

harms you physically in any way, including slapping, pushing, grabbing, shaking, smacking, kicking, and punching

tries to control different aspects of your life, such as how you dress, who you hang out with, and what you say

frequently humiliates you or making you feel unworthy (for example, if a partner puts you down but tells you that he or she loves you)

coerces or threatens to harm you, or self-harm, if you leave the relationship

Sign of an abusive relationship

twists the truth to make you feel you are to blame for your partner's actions

demands to know where you are at all times

constantly becomes jealous or angry when you want to spend time with your friends

…. continued

unexplained bruises, broken bones, sprains, or marks

excessive guilt or shame for no apparent reason

secrecy or withdrawal from friends and family

avoidance of school or social events with excuses that don't seem to make any sense

Signs a Friend is being Abused

Once you recognize that you are in an abusive relationship understand that you deserve better.

Tell a trusted adult if you were physically attacked

Try not to isolate yourself from the people that care about you even though you may be embarrassed this is the time you need them the most.

Don’t rely on just yourself to get out of the situation let your friends and family help you break away

How to help your self

Stopping teen dating violence is a community effort many people are willing to get involved

Phonebook has teen abuse hotlines, crisis center and teen help lines. These people are professionally trained to listen, understand and help!

Where to get help???