Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Statistics

February marks Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. As we think about these issues and how to solve them, it is important to educate ourselves and others on a problem that has, in recent years, become very widespread. Here are some facts about teen dating violence from loveisrespect.org.

Teen Dating Violence Is A Common Problem

• Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
• One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence.
• One in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Focusing On Preventing Violence Among Young People Is Important

• Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence — almost triple the national average.
• Among female victims of intimate partner violence, 94% of those age 16-19 and 70% of those age 20-24 were victimized by a current or former boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Violent behavior typically begins between the ages of 12 and 18.
• The severity of intimate partner violence is often greater in cases where the pattern of abuse was established in adolescence.

Don't Forget About College Students

• Nearly half (43%) of dating college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors.
• College students are not equipped to deal with dating abuse – 57% say it is difficult to identify and 58% say they don’t know how to help someone who’s experiencing it.
• One in three (36%) dating college students has given a dating partner their computer, online access, email or social network passwords and these students are more likely to experience digital dating abuse.
• One in six (16%) college women has been sexually abused in a dating relationship.

How Can I Help Someone In An Abusive Relationship?

Per victimsofcrime.org, here are some steps you can take to help someone who might be in an abusive relationship:

• Tell the person that you are worried.
• Be a good listener.
• Offer your friendship and support.
• Ask how you can help.
• Encourage your friend to seek help.
• Educate yourself about dating violence and healthy relationships.
• Avoid any confrontations with the abuser. This could be dangerous for you and your friend.