TEEN DATING VIOLENCE FACTS For School Personnel

Dating violence cuts across race, gender and socioeconomic lines Girls more likely to yell threaten to hurt themselves, pinch, slap, scratch or kick Boys injure girls more severely and frequently Some victims experience violence occasionally Others are abused more often…sometimes daily

Teens are at higher risk than adults Females are at highest risk Females are at highest risk Approximately 1 in 5 female high school students report being abused physically and or sexually Approximately 1 in 5 female high school students report being abused physically and or sexually 94% of the time the abuse is from a current or former boyfriend or girlfriend Half of the reported date rapes occur among teens.

Parent Awareness 81% of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they dont know if it is an issue. A Majority of parents (54%) admit they have not spoken to their children about dating violence.

TEEN Awareness 25% of year olds know at least one student who is a victim, 11% know multiple victims, 33% have witnessed violence. 20% of male students witnessed another student hit the person they were dating. 39% of female students report talking about whether someone is trying to control the person they are dating. 57% of teens know someone who has been physically abused.

INCIDENT REPORTING Female students when asked whom they would talk to if they were a victim: 1.86% would confide in a friend. 2.7% would talk to the police 3.83% reported they would rather talk to a friend than a teacher, parent, or counselor Only 33% of victims ever told anyone about the abuse.

WARNING SIGNS Since starting to date each other one of the student begins to have attendance issues. Sudden drop in grades Sudden request to change schedule Female student has a sudden weight change Student no longer hangs out with the group or students they generally spent time with and instead hang out with one particular person.

WARNING SIGNS A change in behavior – more passive or quieter than usual. One person seems to be controlling the other. Dress and appearance change suddenly Student has constant bruising

PREVENTION Recommendations 1 Talk to students about dating violence 2 Make the classroom a comfortable place for your students to come talk to you about sensitive issues RELATIONSHIP – RELATIONSHIP 3 Follow and enforce school policy about what is not acceptable

PREVENTION Recommendations 4. Demand that students treat each other with respect at all times. 5. Prevent language that dehumanizes and sexually objectifies people. 6. Talk to students about personal responsibility 7. Stress the responsibility of bystanders when a teen dating violence incident occurs.

HOUSE BILL 121 District will have a dating violence policy. Districts will educate staff and students about the issue of teen dating violence.

WEBSITE American Bar Association