Teen Dating Violence Prevention
Love is Not Abuse
Did you know...
1 in 3 teens in a dating relationship have been verbally, emotionally, sexually or physically abused.
1 in 2 teens have compromised their values to please their partner.
1 in 5 teens in a dating relationship have been hit, slapped, or pushed.
- Dating violence is a pattern of controlling, abusive, and/or aggressive behavior in a dating relationship.
- Anyone can be involved in an abusive dating relationship.
Dating relationships can be abusive even if there is no hitting.
- Abuse can be verbal, emotional, sexual, or physical.
- Verbal – calls you names, insults or criticizes you, gets angry very quickly, and threatens to hurt you, someone you know, or themselves.
- Emotional – acts possessive, jealousy, controlling, tells you what to wear, keeps you from friends or activities, calls you frequently to find out where you are or who you're with, refuses to accept the relationship is over, forces you to compromise your beliefs.
- Sexual – any unwanted touching or kissing, forcing you to have sex, or not letting you use birth control.
- Physical – shoves, throws things at you, intimidating you by blocking doors, shoving, slapping, hitting, painful grabbing or pinching, pulling your hair, and strangling you.
It could be you or someone you know and love
- 89% of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 say they have been in dating relationships.
- 1 in 3 female teens in a dating relationship fear for their safety.
- Teens who are victims of dating violence are not only at increased risk for injury, but are also more likely to report binge drinking, suicide attempts, physical fighting and current sexual activity.
- 40% of teenagers age 14 to 17 report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
- Nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abuser.
For More Information
For more information about the Teen Dating Violence Prevention program at Eastern Idaho Public Health District, or are interested in a presentation for your school, community, or church group on this topic, please contact:
Mimi Taylor, M.S., C.H.E.S.
Teen Dating Violence Prevention Coordinator
Eastern Idaho Public Health District
1250 Hollipark Drive
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
Additional information can be found at: www.lovewhatsreal.com
Return to EIPHD home page.