10 Facts on Teen Dating Violence

• 1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner.
• 1 in 5 teens that have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner.
• 1 in 4 teenage girls who have been in relationships reveal they have been pressured to perform oral sex or engage in intercourse.
• More than 1 in 4 teenage girls in a relationship report enduring repeated verbal abuse.
• One-third or more of teens in relationships have been with a partner who frequently asked where they were and whom they were with.
• 1 in 4 teens in serious relationships have been prevented from spending time with friends and family or pressured to only spend time with their partner.
• Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls in a relationship said a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm when presented with a break-up.
• 1 in 3 teens (30%) say they are text messaged 10, 20, or 30 times an hour by a partner inquiring where they are, what they’re doing, or who they’re with. 
• 68% of teens say boyfriends/girlfriends sharing private or embarrassing pictures/videos on cell phones and computers is a serious problem. 
• 71% of teens regard boyfriends/girlfriends spreading rumors about them on cell phones and social networking sites as a serious problem.

The 5 types of Domestic Violence defined by the U.S. Government

1. Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, hair pulling, etc are types of physical abuse. This type of abuse also includes denying a partner medical care or forcing alcohol and/or drug use upon him or her.
2. Sexual Abuse: Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behavior without consent. Sexual abuse includes, but is certainly not limited to, marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, forcing sex after physical violence has occurred, or treating one in a sexually demeaning manner.
3. Emotional Abuse: Undermining an individual sense of self-worth and/or self-esteem is abusive. This may include, but is not limited to constant criticism, diminishing one's abilities, name-calling, or damaging one's relationship with his or her children.
4. Economic Abuse: making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance at school or employment.
5. Psychological Abuse: Including but NOT limited the following
• Causing fear by intimidation
• Threatening physical harm to self, partner, children, partner's family or friends
• Destruction of pets and property
• forcing isolation from family, friends, or school and/or work.

Sources: National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Center for Victims of Crime, and WomensLaw.org.

If you or someone you know is being affected by Domestic Abuse please get you or yourself help

Are you or someone you know  a Victim of Domestic Abuse? 
Please call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-7233.

It's not your fault it could happen to anyone

Domestic Abuse Hurts Everyone
You are not alone

There are other Options and no one should live their life in fear

The JAA Foundation © 2011

www.jaafoundation.org