Teen Dating Violence Statistics: Prevention And Education
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Statistics show that teen dating violence is common, but many teens are unsure of how to handle these behaviors. They may be afraid to tell their friends or parents what they are experiencing and, in some cases, may not even realize that they are experiencing abuse. However, teen dating violence is preventable, with researchers finding that focusing on relationship education may have a significant impact. Below, learn how to identify and prevent teen violence, as well as how to receive help as a parent or teen.
Overview of teen dating violence: Forms of intimate partner violence
Multiple types of intimate partner violence exist, some of which may be easier to identify than others. While people of all ages can experience abusive relationships, parents may want to consider several statistics on teens who experience dating abuse, discussed below. Some forms of intimate partner violence are more obvious than others, but any type of dating abuse can be damaging or even life-threatening.
Physical dating violence
Physical violence manifests as abusive behavior like slapping, punching, choking, or hitting, but behaviors like dangerous driving or forcing one’s partner to engage in drinking or drug use can also be considered physical abuse. Like all forms of abuse, a perpetrator may engage in physical dating violence as a means of control.
Sexual dating violence
Sexual dating violence can include rape, sexual pressure, and intentionally trying to transfer a sexually transmitted disease. Some types of sexual dating abuse may be less obvious, like bullying a partner into believing that sex is owed in the relationship or threatening to cheat if their partner is unwilling to meet their sexual demands. Coercing a partner into sex is not consent and can also be a form of dating violence.
Psychological and emotional dating violence
Psychological or emotional dating abuse can be challenging to identify as, unlike physical or sexual abuse, it doesn’t leave physical marks. Still, emotional abuse can leave psychological scars that may be just as damaging. This type of abuse includes behaviors like name-calling, humiliation, psychological aggression, and manipulation techniques to monitor the other person and exert control.
Online abuse or cyberbullying
Online abuse occurs when someone uses technology to mistreat or intimidate their significant other. This form of abuse can take many forms, including sending threatening emails or texts, tracking someone’s location through an app, and leaving embarrassing or rude comments or sharing intimate photos on social media.
Special considerations for teen relationships
Teen dating violence statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) that contained statistics about the number of high school students experiencing teen dating violence. Findings from the 2021 survey include the statistics below:
- 8.5% of students who had dated in the past year experienced physical dating violence
- 9.7% experienced sexual teen dating violence
- 3.6% experienced both physical and sexual violence
- 11.0% of students reported being a survivor of sexual abuse in the past year
- Overall, teen sexual dating violence increased from 8.2% in 2019 to 9.7% in 2021
The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey from 2016 to 2017 revealed the impacts of intimate partner violence, regardless of age:
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 13 men were fearful
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men were injured
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men feared for their safety
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men experienced PTSD
- 1 in 8 women and 1 in 23 men needed medical care
- 1 in 6 women and 1 in 18 men needed help from law enforcement
Warning signs of abuse
Parents of teens who are dating can be on the lookout for signs of an abusive relationship, some of which are listed below.
Signs of teen dating violence and abuse
While it is not always possible to determine if abuse is occurring in a relationship, parents may look for the following warning signs that someone may be experiencing abuse in a relationship:
- They give up activities they once loved.
- They isolate themselves from their friend group or family.
- They are afraid of making their partner angry.
- They have frequent injuries with explanations that don’t make sense.
- They are overly focused on making their partner happy.
- They apologize for their partner’s behavior.
- They make excuses or avoid questions about their relationships.
Awareness
Awareness about teen dating violence can help people, particularly parents, understand the extent of the problem and learn how to recognize the signs of abuse. The following resources can be helpful:
- Love Is Respect’s Parent Tip Sheet: How Do I Help My Child?
- The National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Serving Teen Survivors: A Manual for Advocates
- Teen Dating Violence Month
Education and prevention
While raising awareness can be essential to prevention, it may not be the best way. According to psychologist Sherry Hamby, “Even though it might seem counterintuitive, getting up in front of a group and telling them that dating and sexual violence are bad doesn’t have very much impact.” Instead, psychologists are focusing on a strength-based approach to both intervention and prevention by teaching teens what a healthy relationship looks like, how to handle relationship challenges, and how to step in and help friends who are experiencing abuse.
How education may reduce intimate partner violence in teens
Building resilience is recommended for addressing teen dating violence and helping teens learn to manage and avoid an abusive or unhealthy relationship. This approach can involve teaching teens to manage emotions like anger, jealousy, and shame and how to communicate with their partners about relationship challenges.
Teens can also be taught the characteristics of a healthy relationship, including consent and boundaries, as well as the signs of an abusive relationship. While physical and sexual abuse may be evident, some teens may not understand the signs and effects of more subtle types of abuse, like emotional or mental abuse. Parents, communities, and schools can also help by creating safe environments where teens may be more comfortable discussing their relationship challenges.
Getting help for intimate partner violence
If you suspect your teen is a survivor of dating violence, get support right away. Encourage your teen to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website for 24/7 support. You can also contact Love is Respect by calling 1-866-9474 or texting “LOVEIS” to 22522. If you believe your child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Getting mental health support
Teen dating can lead to a number of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, drug and alcohol use, antisocial behaviors, and suicide. Getting mental health support for your teeth can be crucial in helping them overcome the effects of abuse and learn to have healthy relationships in the future. Parents can also benefit from working with a mental health professional to get support for their own anxiety about the situation and to learn more about how they can support their teens.
Therapy options: Learning from teen dating violence statistics
Teen dating violence can be difficult for teens to talk about, and attending face-to-face sessions may be overwhelming. Online therapy allows teens to work with a professional from the safety of their home, allowing them to be more comfortable talking about their relationships. An online platform like TeenCounseling for teens or BetterHelp for adults can be a convenient, flexible way to get support. Research has found that online therapy is effective, with one study finding that “Clinically, therapy is no less efficacious when delivered via videoconferencing than in-person.”
Takeaway
What are the statistics on dating in high school?
According to Pew Research Center, 35% of teens have been in a romantic relationship. Approximately 30% of teens who have been in a relationship report having had sexual relations.
What percentage of American adolescents have experienced dating violence?
According to the U.S. Department of Education, approximately 33% of people aged 14 to 20 have experience dating violence. Also, 12% of high school girls have been physically forced to have sexual intercourse. Experiencing dating violence may lead to long-term consequences, including greater risk of adverse health outcomes. Also, people who have experienced sexual violence from someone with whom they’re romantically involved may be at a higher risk of developing eating disorders.
What percentage of youth are exposed to violence?
The U.S. Department of Justice states, “A study of a national sample of American children found that over the past year 60 percent were exposed to violence, crime, or abuse in their homes, schools, and communities.” Young people who experience one type of violence may have a higher risk of experiencing other types of violence.
What is the prevalence of violence among adolescents?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that nearly “one half of students (44.3%) experienced at least one type of violence; more than one in seven (15.6%) experienced two or more types during the preceding 12 months.” The survey also showed that women were more likely than men to experience several types of violence.
What is the main cause of youth violence?
Violence among young people can have numerous causes. Youth may learn violence from various forms of media and social norms that are modeled by adults. A stable home and positive role models may serve as protective factors against violence. Parents and caregivers can start early and educate youth on various types of violence, including violence in a dating relationship.
Are schools responsible for dating violence?
Schools are responsible to protect students and intervene when dating violence is suspected. Schools also typically have the responsibility to educate students about dating violence during the teen years, including physical abuse, verbal abuse, and psychological violence. Some students may be afraid to report dating violence to school authorities or the police, but they might tell a good friend. Schools can make a difference by telling students what to do if they or a friend has experienced dating violence.
What is my role when reporting dating violence?
Your role in deporting dating violence is typically to report any concerning behavior. Those in positions of authority at high schools and colleges may have specific responsibilities related to investigations.
How common is dating violence among college students?
Dating violence affects approximately 20%–30% of U.S. college students. Dating violence doesn’t just involve being physically harmed. It can involve manipulation and emotional violence.(H3) Is dating violence covered by the school employee handbook?
Many school employee handbooks have a section on handling dating violence. These handbooks may provide guidance on what to do when an employee suspects dating violence and how to report it.
What is considered dating violence?
Dating violence can include emotional, physical, and sexual violence, including physical contact without consent from a person’s dating partner. Dating violence can also include psychological violence and manipulation, as well as threats to post sexual images or messages on social media. While female students tend to experience rape and other forms of violence than male students, dating violence can happen to students of all genders.
For more information on youth dating violence, see the following article published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine:
https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(21)00418-9/abstract
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