happy + healthy
dating violence
EMPOWERING TEENS
AGAINST ABUSIVE
RELATIONSHIPS
1 IN 10 HIGH SCHOOL
TEENS ARE VICTIMS
OF DATING VIOLENCE
3X
GIRLS ARE
MORE
LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF
DATING VIOLENCE
WHO IS AT RISK?
Teens who have seen violent and abusive relationships at home
are most at risk to become victims themselves. Sue Jones,
Executive Director of FOCUS says, “As teens develop
emotionally, they are heavily influenced by experiences in their
relationships. Healthy relationship behaviors can have a positive
effect on a teen’s emotional development. Unhealthy, abusive,
or violent relationships can have severe consequences and
short- and long-term negative effects on a developing teen.” In
short, parents have a responsibility to make certain that they are
modeling healthy relationships at home, as “being exposed to
relationship violence as a child is linked with dating violence.”
“Communicating with your date, managing uncomfortable emotions like anger and jealousy, and treating others with
respect are a few ways to keep relationships healthy and
nonviolent,” Ms. Jones said.
“Teens receive messages about how to behave in
relationships from peers, adults in their lives, and the
media. All too often these examples suggest that
violence in a relationship is normal, but violence is
WARNING SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE
RELATIONSHIP
• Suspicious bruises or other injuries
• Failing grades
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that they once enjoyed
• Excusing their dating partner’s behavior
• Needing to respond immediately to calls or texts from their
partner
• Fearfulness around their partner
• Having a dating partner who is significantly (three or more
years) older than the teen is a risk factor for experiencing
forced sex
• Insulting their partner
• Trying to control how their partner dresses and acts
• Constantly texting or sending instant messages (IMs) to
monitor their partner
• Losing their temper and being unable to control their anger
• Threatening to hurt themselves or their partner in the case of a
break-up
never acceptable.”
— Sue C. Jones, B.S, M.Ed., FOCUS Executive Director.
8 |
Summer 2016
ONLY 1 IN 3 VICTIMS
TELL ANYONE ABOUT
THEIR ABUSE
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