Dating Violence and Abuse

Although many people assume that they will never have to face being in an abusive relationship, one in three teen relationships involves violence. Almost none of these teens tell their parents, and most teens in abusive relationships don't know where to seek help. Abuse affects people of every gender, race, class, sexual orientation and nationality. It is a way of controlling another person, and even abuse that doesn't leave physical marks can have profound emotional consequences and put the person being abused in danger.

Adolescents and adults are often unaware about how regularly dating abuse occurs.

Here are some statistics about dating abuse and how common it is:

• One study by Choose Respect found that one in four adolescents reports verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse each year.


• Recent studies shows that one third of teens experience some form of abuse in dating relationships.


• More than half of the teens surveyed know of someone who has been abused.

Especially because of these kinds of statistics, it is very important to recognize the danger signs of an abusive relationship so that you can make sure you get out as soon as possible.

• Forms of Abuse


• Dating Violence Cycle


• Myths of Dating Violence


• Abusive Romantic Relationship

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