Teen dating abuse can happen to anyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, race, education, or economic background. Teen dating abuse is not the occasional argument or disagreement. It is a pattern of abusive behavior used by one dating partner to control or dominate the other partner.
Abuse can cause injury or even death, but it does not have to be physical. It can include verbal, emotional, financial, sexual and physical abuse.
Teen dating facts: 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner. 1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they have been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner. 1 in 3 dating teens will be in an emotionally, physically, or sexually abusive relationship. Nearly 3 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship report going further sexually than they wanted to as a result of pressure. 50% of dating teens say they have compromised their own values and beliefs in order to please their dating partner. Almost 89% of parents do not believe that teen dating abuse is an issue.
Do you not see friends because of his/her jealousy? YES/NO
Are you frequently accused of things you haven't done? YES/NO Are you constantly blamed for arguments or problems, and is everything said to be your fault? YES/NO
Do you feel like you can't ever "win" in a situation? YES/NO
Does your partner always want to know what you're doing and who you are with? YES/NO
Are you constantly criticized about your body and looks? YES/NO
Have you had lies told about you or been humiliated in front of your friends by your partner? YES/NO
Are you told how lucky you are to have him/her, since no one else would ever want you? YES/NO
Does your partner threaten to hurt themselves, you or others if you end the relationship? YES/NO
Have you become secretive or hostile toward your parents because of this relationship? YES/NO
Are you protective of your partner when he/she mistreats you - do you rationalize their behavior? YES/NO
Have you ever been grabbed or shoved by your partner? YES/NO
Does your partner check your cell phone, email, or social networking site to monitor your communications? YES/NO
Does your partner excessively text or call you wanting to know where you are, who you are with, what you are wearing, etc.? YES/NO
Since your relationship started have you found yourself isolated from friends, family, and activities that you previously enjoyed? YES/NO
Does your partner pressure you to go further sexually than you want to? YES/NO
If you've answered yes more than twice, it's important to realize that these behaviors are signs of an abusive relationship.
Do you ever: Call your partner names? Text or call them excessively and get upset when they don’t respond? Monitor their email, cell phone messages, or social profile? Feel that you have the right to know where your partner is and who they are with at all times? Get jealous or angry when your partner spends time with friends or family? Tell your partner what to wear, how to style their hair, or what they can or cannot do? - Restrain, push, slap, or otherwise hurt your partner?
- Threaten to hurt either yourself or your partner if things are not going your way?
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