The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 11 adolescents have been the victim of physical dating violence; another survey indicated that 1 in 4 teens self-report physical, verbal, emotional or sexual abuse every year. According to Teen Research Unlimited, thirty percent of teens who have been in a relationship worried about their physical safety. Healthy or unhealthy relationship habits develop early. Approximately 72 percent of 8th and 9th graders report "dating." By the time these students get to high school, more than half of them say they see dating violence among their peers. Destructive relationships during the teen years can lead to life-long unhealthy relationship practices, may disrupt normal development, and can contribute to other unhealthy behaviors in teens that, if left unchecked, can lead to problems over a lifetime. The CDC's 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey indicates that adolescents who report being physically hurt in a dating relationship were also more likely to report that they engage in risky sexual behavior, binge drink, use drugs, attempt suicide, and participate in physical fights.
In dating violence, one partner tries to maintain power and control over the other through abuse. Dating violence crosses all racial, economic and social lines. Most victims are young women, who are also at greater risk for serious injury. Teen dating violence often is hidden because teenagers typically are inexperienced with dating relationships; are pressured by peers to act violently; want independence from parents; and have "romantic" views of love.
Young men may believe they have the right to "control" their partners in any way necessary; "masculinity" is physical aggressiveness; they "possess" their partner; they should demand intimacy; and they may lose respect if they are attentive and supportive toward their girlfriends. Young women may believe they are responsible for solving problems in their relationships; their boyfriend's jealousy and possessiveness is "romantic”; abuse is "normal" because their friends are also being abused; and there is no one to ask for help.
Teenagers can choose better relationships when they learn to identify the early warning signs of an abusive relationship, understand that they have choices, and believe they are valuable and deserve to be treated with respect.
Prevention initiatives include early education about healthy dating practices. Choose Respect, a CDC initiative aimed at adolescents, raises awareness about teen dating violence and promotes healthy relationship practices by challenging harmful beliefs about dating violence.
Policymakers can play a role in preventing teen dating violence. At least seven states have laws that urge or require school boards to develop curriculum on teen dating violence. States have adopted teen dating violence awareness weeks or months, in an effort to draw the public's attention to a national campaign that promotes prevention, safe dating practices and offers information and resources. In 2009, at least five states declared a prevention week or month in February.
In July of 2009 Florida passed a bill protecting teens in violent dating relationships. According to the new law a victim of dating violence, that has reasonable cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of another act of dating violence, or any person who has reasonable cause to believe he or she is in imminent danger of becoming the victim of an act of dating violence, or the parent or legal guardian of any minor child who is living at home and who seeks an injunction for protection against dating violence on behalf of that minor child, has standing in the circuit court to file a restraining order against the accused dating violence abuser. The new law basically places dating violence on the same par as domestic violence.
At the South Brevard Women’s Center we are dedicated to educating our youth on this important issue. We currently have a Violence Prevention Education Program which provides outreach education, targeting primarily Junior high and high school students, focusing on violence prevention in dating relationships. We also have dedicated counselors who can assist a victim of dating violence with issues stemming from violence, creating boundaries, saying no to disrespect, assertiveness skills, and building self-esteem.
