2. Why we educate … Dating should be fun. But, it should also be safe. • A survey of adolescent and college students revealed that date rape accounted for 67 percent of sexual assaults. • Six out of 10 rapes of young women occur in their own home or a friend or relative's home, not in a dark alley. • About one in three high school students have been or will be involved in an abusive relationship. www.domesticpeace.com

3. Teen Dating Violence Facts • 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner. • Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship reported going further sexually than they wanted to as a result of pressure. • 1 in 4 teens…say that a boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner. March 2006, Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) as commissioned by Liz Claiborne, Inc.

4. Warning signs that indicate a teen may be experiencing dating violence General Afraid or anxious of partner. Go along with everything partner says or does. Checks in frequently with partner to report where they are and what they are doing. Receives harassing phone calls from partner. Talks about partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness.

5. …Warning signs Physical Frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents”. Frequently miss work, school, or social occasions without explanation. Dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in summer or sunglasses indoors).

6. Restricted from seeing family and friends Rarely go out in public without their partner. …Warning signs Isolation

7. …Warning signs Psychological • Have low self-esteem, even if they used to be confident. • Major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing person becomes withdrawn). • Depression, anxiousness, suicidal.

8. Healthy Relationship

9. Signs of a Healthy Relationship • You consider your partner a friend. • Your partner asks for your opinions or thoughts. • He/she is a good listener. • You get & give respect. • You feel you can end the relationship if you are not happy. • You feel good and unafraid around your partner. • You act like yourself. • You and your partner have other interests and independence.

10. Abusive Relationship

11. Signs of Unhealthy Relationship • Your partner gets angry or hurts you when you don’t pay enough attention to him/her. • Constant check-in’s or phone calls. • Partner is jealous of friends/family – becomes possessive. • Treated differently when others are around. • Always apologizing. • You have seen partner throw, hit, or break things when angry. • Partner uses drugs/alcohol. • Makes you feel bad about self. • Threatening or abusive language/behavior – unpredictable moods. • Become serious too quickly.

12. Know Your Rights! • I have the right not to be abused – physically, emotionally, sexually. • I have the right to “fall out of love”. • I have the right to live without threats of violence or revenge for my dating choices. • I have the right to have my own opinions and express them. • I have the right to have my needs be as important as my partner’s needs. • I have the right to grow as an individual and not be criticized for it.

13. … • I have the right to suggest activities or to refuse to participate in activities I don’t enjoy. • I have the right NOT to accept responsibility for someone else’s behavior. • I have the right to change my mind. • I have the right to have my own friends and my own space. • I have the right to say “NO” and the have my limits respected.

14. … • I have the right to refuse sex at any time, for any reason. • I have the right to tell my partner when I need affection. • I have the right to be respected and loved, and to live a peaceful life.

15. Responsibilities in a dating relationship… • It is my responsibility to treat others the same as I want to be treated. • It is my responsibility to understand that my dating relationship is only one part of my life. • I am entitled to set high goals for myself. • It is my responsibility to respect limits of others, and not violate their limits. • It is my responsibility to determine my own limits, and stick to them.

16. Learning to say “NO” Your body is YOUR body. Establish healthy boundaries. “No” means “No”. It is not selfish to say, “NO”. It’s okay to say “No”.

17. Helpful Tips • Keep your friends in the loop. • Meet in public. • Use your own transportation. • Don’t leave food or drink unattended. • Bring extra money. • Be careful of giving out personal info. • Use the buddy system. • Remember: Mace still exists. • Trust your gut.

18. Stop Teen Dating Violence Toll-Free Hotlines: 911 The National Domestic Violence Hotline @ (800) 799-SAFE Break the Cycle www.breakthecycle.org The Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) (800) 621-4000 • Identify trusted adult. • Call the abusive behavior what it is. • Help build a support system. • Encourage victim to seek counseling. • Abuse is always a CHOICE. • Reality check – violence is a crime. • Be an example for those younger than you.

19. "Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence." Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. "Teen Dating Abuse Survey, 2006." Break the Cycle. Teenage Research Unlimited, n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. "Teen Dating Violence Prevention Recommendations." U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2006): n. pag. Print. *Other information found via F.R.I.S. resources