Facts & Figures

Teen Dating Violence (TDV)

     TDV is defined as the physical, sexual, psychological or emotional violence within a current or former dating relationship (Centers for Disease and Prevention [CDC], 2014). There are multiple terms that can describe teen dating violence such as relationship abuse, intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or domestic violence. Physical dating violence (PVD) is defined as any unwanted or unwarranted physical contact with the intent to cause bodily harm (Kim-Godwin, Clements, McCuiston, & Fox, 2009). Sexual dating violence (SDV) is any sexual act that is perpetrated against someone's will. This encompasses a range of offenses, from completed nonconsensual sex act such as rape, an attempted nonconsensual sex act, or verbal sexual harassment. SDV fundamentally comprises any type of sexual contact that any victim does not, is unable to, or refuse to allow the act to occur (CDC, 2014).  Psychological or emotional violence refers to any action that is offensive or degrading to another.  This usually comprises verbally threatening, ridiculing, withholding affection, or social isolation (Capaldi, Knoble, Shortt, & Kim, 2012).  In the United States, teens are experiencing dating violence at a surmountable rate.

• Approximately 1.5 million high school students in America experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
• 33% of adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner
• Approximately 75% of Texas youth between the ages 16-24 has known someone who has experienced dating violence or they have experienced dating violence themselves.
• 1 out of 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• One quarter of high school adolescent females have been victims of physical or sexual abuse.
• Teens who suffer dating abuse may experience long-term effects like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior.
• 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
• Adolescent females who are physically and or sexually abused are 6 times more likely to become pregnant or obtain a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Females between the ages of 16 and 24 are roughly 3 times more likely than the rest of the population to be abused by an intimate partner.
• 8 States in the U.S. do not consider a violent dating relationship domestic abuse.  
• Approximately 50% of adolescents who experience rape or physical or sexual abuse will attempt to commit suicide.
• 70% of pregnant teenagers are abused by their partners.
• About 1/3 of the teens who experienced dating abuse reported the abuse to someone.
• Teens who have been abused hesitate to seek help because they do not want to expose themselves or are unaware of the laws surrounding domestic violence (CDC, 2014; Loveisrespect.org. DoSomething.org, 2014; Texas Advocacy Project, 2014).

 Forms of Dating Violence

 Many adolescents do not perceive their relationships as abusive because they fail to recognize the subtle forms of abuse: screaming, intimidating, name calling, obsessive behaviors, stalking, electronic abuse (excessive texting or posting inappropriate pictures on-line), and or possessiveness (CDC, 2014; Texas Advocacy Project, 2014).

 

Who is at Risk?



• Adolescents who have experienced or witnessed violence in their homes.
• Adolescents who believe that dating violence is acceptable. 
• Adolescents who suffer from depression, anxiety, and other traumatic events.
• Adolescents who display aggressive behaviors towards peers. 
• Adolescents who engage in substance use.
• Adolescents who engage in early sexual activity and having multiple sexual partners.
• Adolescents who witness a friend who is in an abusive relationship.
• Adolescents who experience conflict with their partner (CDC, 2014).

References

 

Capaldi, D. M., Knoble, N. B., Shortt, J. W., & Kim, H. K.. (2012). A systematic review

          risk factors for intimate partner violence. Partner Abuse, 3(2), 231-280.

Center for Disease and Prevention. (2014). Teen dating violence: What is teen

     dating violence? 

     Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/teen-dating-

     violence-factsheet-a.pdf

Do Something.org. (2014). 11 Facts about teen dating violence. Retrieved from    
     https://beta.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-teen-dating-violence

Love is Respect. (n.d.). Dating abuse statistics. Retrieved from
     http://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/dating-violence-statistics

Kim-Godwin, Y., Clements, C., McCuiston, A. M., & Fox, J., A. (2009). Dating violence among high
     school students in southeastern North Carolina. The Journal of School Nursing, 25(2),          141-151.
 
Texas Advocacy Project. (2014). Teed dating violence. Retrieved from  
       http://www.texasadvocacyproject.org/program_service.php?pid=11