For teens, dating can be an exhilarating part of growing up. However, for a startling number of people, teenage dating can turn abusive, aggressive, forceful, or violent. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a moment to pause and consider the risks of teen dating and to work toward preventing violence. Dating violence happens more commonly than most people are aware of, and it remains a taboo topic despite how frequently people are assaulted, injured, or abused. Dating violence is especially prevalent among teens. It is predicted that one in three American teenagers will be the victim of emotional, sexual, or physical abuse from a romantic interest. Almost half of all college women have reported an instance of nonconsensual or abusive behavior in a dating context.
Dating violence may seem like something that can occur in private and happen just once. However, because abuse can be difficult for young people to clearly identify when they are emotionally and romantically involved with a partner, dating violence can often recur. Abusive relationships can grow out of a single episode of verbal, emotional, or physical harm that becomes complicated for the victim involved, making it difficult for them to find a way out.
Both boys and girls can be victims of teen dating violence, though girls are more likely to be abused. LGBTQIA youth and racial minority groups are disproportionately likely to experience teen dating violence. For many young people, being a victim in an abusive relationship will lead to additional violent experiences before and during adulthood. In other words, if a teen is a victim of one form of abuse, they are more likely to face future harm. For instance, a teen who suffers from dating violence in high school is at an increased risk of being victimized again in college.
In addition to competing with complex emotions and formative romantic attachments, teen dating violence is difficult for victims to talk about because of the range of unhealthy or violent behaviors that constitute abuse and confusing signals from peers, pop culture, and the internet. At one end of the spectrum, abusers might bully victims with verbal denigrations and insults. Other forms of abuse might combine lying and manipulation with coercive physical or sexual behaviors. Violent abuse can take the form of sexual assault, hitting, or intentionally injuring a victim. In longer relationships, abusers might use multiple forms of harm to test their victims’ limits over time. Spotting any of these signals or associated behaviors in teens is critical to offer a clear view of what is happening and help teens find safety.
There are all sorts of adverse effects of teen dating violence. Victims are highly likely to experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleeplessness, and mistrust of neighbors. Victims of sexual harm are likely to face difficulty finding intimacy or healthy desire with future partners. Unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs can often show up as victims attempt to numb their feelings or escape from coping with reality.
While there is no single, proven method to prevent teen dating violence, adults should promote healthy relationships and create space for conversation around intimacy, sex, and emotional connection. Focus on giving teens the tools they need to communicate effectively and set personal boundaries. When it comes to low-income teens or youth from marginalized communities, it is all the more critical for trusted adults to cultivate healthy attitudes toward relationships and model appropriate conduct without reinforcing the stigma that victims might face. At Maryvale, we know the value of providing preventative, protective care for at-risk youth. Learn more about the services we provide children, teens, and their families to transform abusive cycles and foster a healthy, positive outlook.
