Technology Safety Alert

Use of your home computer to visit this site can be tracked by someone in your home. You may want to use a computer in a public library or internet café.

For more details, click here

Teen Dating Violence

Teen relationships can be intense, emotional and sometimes, volatile. Many times parents are unaware or underestimate how intense the relationships have become and may not see signs that the relationship has moved beyond a healthy dating relationship. Teens may confuse jealousy, excessive contact or other controlling behaviors with love. For more information, visit loveisrespect.org.

Recognize the Signs of Violence

 

For friends…

Their boyfriend/girlfriend calls them names or puts them down in front of others.
Their boyfriend/girlfriend acts extremely jealous when they talk to friends of the opposite sex, even when it is completely innocent.
Your friend often cancels plans at the last minute, for reasons that sound untrue or suspicious.
Your friend frequently apologizes for their boyfriend/girlfriend.
Your friend’s boyfriend/girlfriend is constantly checking up on them, calling or texting, or demanding to know where they are or have been.
You’ve seen the boyfriend/girlfriend lose their temper, and maybe even get violent when they’re angry.
Your friend is always worried about upsetting their boyfriend/girlfriend.
Your friend is giving up things that used to be important to them, such as spending time with friends or other activities, and is becoming more and more isolated.
Your friend’s weight, appearance or grades have changed dramatically.
Your friend has injuries they can’t explain, or the explanations they give just don’t add up.

 

For parents…

Does your child…
Make changes in their daily rituals?
Retreat from school or activities?
Experience isolation from friends?
Have a dramatic change in weight, appearance or grades?
Make changes in clothing or wear clothing inappropriate for the weather in order to hide marks?
Have visible and unexplained marks or bruises?
Spend excessive amounts of time with the person they’re dating?
Spend excessive amounts of time in contact with the person they are dating through cell phones and computers?

How You can Help Teens

 

For friends…
  • Listen first to what they have to say.
  • Talk to them in private and keep what they say confidential.
  • Let your friend know why you are concerned.
  • Be specific. Refer to incidents you have personally witnessed instead of what you have heard from others.
  • Offer to get your friend information.
  • Mention other people your friend might talk to – a counselor, a teacher, or another adult they trust.
  • Let them know you are available to talk more if they need.
  • Give them the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline website address or their local Someplace Safe Outreach phone number.
For Parents…

Parents play a very important role in ending teen dating abuse. Teens in abusive situations truly need the support of their parents. Even in the rockiest parent-teen relationship, the advice of a parent can make a dramatic difference in a teen’s life.

  • Ask questions about your teen’s life.
  • Listen with an open mind.
  • Support your teen as they decide what to do.
  • Open up clear channels of communication.
  • Be calm and take positive action.

The above information was adapted from “When Violence Begins at Home” by K.J. Wilson, Ed.D.

Share