 1 in 11 teens reports being a victim of physical dating abuse each year  1 in 4 teens reports verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse each year  1 in 5 high school girls has been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner  The overall occurrence of dating violence is higher among black (13.9%) than Hispanic (9.3%) or white (7%) students  72% students in 8 th & 9 th grade report dating.  By the time they are in high school, 54% students report dating violence among peers  1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or otherwise physically hurt by their partner  80% teens regard verbal abuse as a serious issue for their age group  Nearly 80% of girls who’ve been physically abused in their dating relationships continue to date their abuser  Nearly 1 in 5 teen girls who’ve been in a relationship said that a boyfriend threatened violence or self-harm if presented with a break-up  Almost 70% rape victims knew their rapist as a boyfriend, friend or acquaintance  Teen dating abuse most often takes place in the home of one of the partners

The Cycle of Violence Honeymoon Tension Building Explosion Honeymoon The abuser often…  Says “I love you!”  Apologizes  Promises it won’t happen again  Buys you gifts  Blames you or other things Tension Building Your partner starts fights with you & yells at you for no reason Your partner starts fights with you & yells at you for no reason Feel you can’t do anything right & things could blow up at any time Feel you can’t do anything right & things could blow up at any time Explosion The abuser may  Physically abuse you by hitting, kicking, slamming you against a wall, etc.  Scream & yell in a way that scares or humiliates you  Threatens to hurt you  Rape or force you to go further sexually than you want to news/131070/teen-abuse- victim-shares-harrowing- story.jhtml#id=

Why does abuse happen? It’s related to certain risk factors, such as:  Truly believes it’s okay  Uses alcohol or drugs  Can’t manage anger  Hangs out with violent peers  Has low self-esteem or is depressed  Doesn’t have parental supervision & support  Witnesses abuse at home or in the community  Has a history of aggressive behavior or bullying

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Break the Cycle Choose Respect-Centers for Disease Control & Prevention The Date Safe Project Love is not Abuse Love Doesn’t Have to Hurt Teens, American Psychological Association See It and Stop It