Teen Dating Violence
Teen dating violence is defined as the physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional violence within a dating relationship. This includes stalking and can occur either in person, over the phone, or through the internet.Approximately 1 in 10 teens report being hit or otherwise physically hurt by a romantic partner within the last year. Additionally, 1 in 10 teens report forced sexual violence by someone they were dating within the last year. However, most teens are afraid to report dating violence to friends or family.
These behaviors can quickly become abusive and develop into more serious acts of violence. Teen dating violence can have a lasting impact on a teen’s life. Teens who experience dating violence are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse and other unhealthy behaviors.