Teen Dating Violence

1. Teen Dating Violence Melanie Bray CAS 100 3- 20-08 MVB5088@PSU.EDU

2. Overview . I.Teen dating violence- controlling behavior by one teenager over another teenager who are in a dating relationship. This can include physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. II.Warning Signs -Extreme Jealousy -Controlling Behavior -Isolation -Explosive Anger III.Ways to address people who you make think can be involved in an abusive relationship -I’m afraid for your safety -It will only get worse IV.If you know some who is being abused -Call the police if you hear or see evidence of physical abuse -Speak publicly against domestic violence -Reach out to support them V.In Recent News VI. HELP -If you are a teenager in an abusive relationship you should know you deserve better, and it will only get worse. If you don’t feel you can tell your friends or families there are other resources. VI.Dating Safety - Be firm and straight forward in your relationships

3. Teen dating violence is a pattern of controlling behavior by one teenager over another teenager who are in a dating relationship. The behavior includes, but is not limited to, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.

4. In the United States, a woman is beaten every 7.4 seconds

5. 1/3 know a peer who has been chocked, hit, in a relationship • 33% of teens between the age of 13-18 reported being in a abusive relationship • 80% teens have reported “dating.” • Women ages 16 to 24 experience the highest per capita rates of intimate violence--nearly 20 per 1000 women (Bureau of Justice Special Report:Intimate Partner Violence, May 2000 ) • Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15-44 • One of every three abused children becomes an adult abuser or victim.

6. 10 Facts About Dating Abuse • Only 33% of teens who were in an abusive relationship ever told anyone about it. • Teen victims of dating violence are more likely to abuse drugs, have eating disorders, and attempt suicide. • A recent survey of schools found there were an estimated 4,000 incidents of rape or other types of sexual assault in public schools across the country. And this was in just one academic year! • In a study of gay, lesbian and bisexual adolescents, youths involved in same-sex dating are just as likely to experience dating violence as youths involved in opposite sex dating. • One third of high school students have been or will be involved in an abusive relationship. • Dating violence is the leading cause of injury to young women. • Nearly one quarter of girls who have been in a relationship reported going further sexually than they wanted as a result of pressure. • About 40% of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. • Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk for intimate partner violence.

7. Domestic Violence charges can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Usually this is determined by the seriousness of the case. Severe cuts and broken bones will almost always be charged as felonies. No injury or slight injury cases will be charged as misdemeanors.

8. WAYS TO ADDRESS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE • I'm afraid for your safety. • I'm afraid for the safety of your children. • It will only get worse. • We're here for you when you are ready or when you are able to leave. • You deserve better than this. • Let's figure out a safety plan for you.

9. Does the individual have unexplained bruises, scratches, or injuries? • Do you see signs that the individual is afraid of his/her boyfriend or girlfriend? • Does the boyfriend or girlfriend seem to try to control the individual’s behavior, making all of the decisions, checking up on his/her behavior, demanding to know who the individual has been with, and acting jealous and possessive? • Does the boyfriend or girlfriend lash out, criticize, or insult the individual? • Does the individual apologize for the boyfriend or girlfriend’s behavior to you and others? Has the individual casually mentioned the boyfriend or girlfriend’s temper or violent behavior, but then laughed it off as a joke? • Has the individual's appearance or behavior suddenly changed? • Has the individual stopped spending time with friends and family? • Have you seen sudden changes in the individual’s mood or personality. Is the individual becoming anxious or depressed, acting out, or being secretive? Is the individual avoiding eye contact, having ‘crying jags’ or getting ‘hysterical?’ • Has the individual recently started using alcohol or drugs? • Have you seen the boyfriend or girlfriend be abusive towards other people or things? • Does the individual seem to have lost interest or to be giving up things that were once important? Has he/she lost interest in school or other activities?

10. Warning Signs • Extreme jealousy • Controlling behavior • Quick involvement • Unpredictable mood swings • Alcohol and drug use • Shows hypersensitivity • Believes in rigid sex roles • Blames others for his problems or feelings • Cruel to animals or children • Verbally abusive • Abused former partners • Threatens violence

11. Call the police if you see or hear evidence of domestic violence. • Speak out publicly against domestic violence. • Take action personally against domestic violence when a neighbor, a co-worker, a friend, or a family member is involved or being abused. • Encourage your neighborhood watch or block association to become as concerned with watching out for domestic violence as with burglaries and other crimes. • Reach out to support someone whom you believe is a victim of domestic violence and/or talk with a person you believe is being abusive. • Help others become informed, by inviting speakers to your church, professional organization, civic group, or workplace. • Support domestic violence counseling programs and shelters.

12. Today • Recent coverage of the Chris Brown and Rihanna incident has brought the serious issue of domestic violence into the national spotlight • On February 9, 2009 Chris Brown was charged for making criminal threats. He allegedly

13. Help! • If you are a teenager involved in an abusive relationship, you need to remember that no one deserves to be abused or threatened. Remember you cannot change your batterer, and in time the violence will get worse. You need to take care of yourself. Talk to a trusted adult or locate a shelter or agency serving victims of domestic abuse in your community. Together, you can talk about making a plan to end the relationship and remain safe.Call the Alabama Domestic Violence 24-hour hotline, 1-800-650-6522. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • Hotlines and websites can provide Crisis intervention, safety planning, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers • Informational materials on such topics as domestic violence, sexual assault, battering intervention and prevention programs, working through the criminal justice system and related issues • Informational materials on such topics as domestic violence, sexual assault, battering intervention and prevention programs, working through the criminal justice system and related issues

15. Dating Safety • Consider double-dating the first few times you go out with a new person. • Before leaving on a date, know the exact plans for the evening and make sure a parent or friend knows these plans and what time to expect you home. Let your date know that you are expected to call or tell that person when you get in. • Be aware of your decreased ability to react under the influence of alcohol or drugs. • If you leave a party with someone you do not know well, make sure you tell another person you are leaving and with whom. Ask a friend to call and make sure you arrived home safely. • Assert yourself when necessary. Be firm and straightforward in your relationships. • Trust your instincts. If a situation makes you uncomfortable, try to be calm and think of a way to remove yourself from the situation.

16. American Bar Assos. American Bar Association - Defending Liberty, Pursuing Justice. 2006. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://www.abanet.org/unmet/teendating/facts.pdf>. "Domestic Violence Facts." At Health Mental Health. 11 Jan. 2007. 17 Mar. 2009 <http://www.athealth.com/Consumer/Disorders/DomViolFacts.html>. Get Help." National Domestic Violence Hotline. 19 Mar. 2009 <http://www.ndvh.org/get-help/>. Love is Not Abuse. 23 Mar. 2009 <http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/teen_10warningsigns.htm>.

17. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18JDGySxgAc