Teen Dating Violence

WHAT IS DATING VIOLENCE?

Dating violence (or relationship abuse) is a pattern of violent behavior that someone uses against a girlfriend or boyfriend. Dating violence can take many forms, including mental/emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. So, you may experience dating violence even if you are not being physically abused. It can occur in both casual dating situations and serious, long-term relationships, homosexual and heterosexual relationships.

Dating violence can take many forms. Abuse isn't just hitting. It can include:

•yelling,
•threatening,
•name calling,
•saying "I'll kill you or myself if you leave me,"
•obsessive phone calling, texting, or paging, and/or
•extreme possessiveness.

You may experience dating violence even if you are not being physically abused.

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE IS AN EPIDEMIC!

• One-third of teens report experiencing some kind of abuse in their romantic relationships, including verbal and emotional abuse.
• 75% of Texas youth (ages 16-24) have personally experienced dating violence or know someone who has, according to a 2006 survey conducted by the Texas Council on Family Violence.
• Relationship violence is the number one cause of injury to women between the ages of 15-44.
• 70% of pregnant teenagers are abused by their partners.

Young women ages 16 to 24 are the most likely to be victims of dating violence.
Are you in an unhealthy relationship?

YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM ABUSE

You have legal rights!
Dating violence can violate Texas's criminal laws (like the law against assault)
AND
You may be able to access civil remedies (like a protective order).
What is a Dating Violence Protective Order?

Remember that the law is a tool you can use and learn about your options:
What is an Emergency Protective Order?
How can I request an Emergency Protective Order?

Want to learn more? Click here: Youth Rights in Domestic Violence

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP

Stay Safe: How can I stay safe from an abusive dating partner?

Develop a Safety Plan: Safety Plan for Teens

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Find out more about this issue
What are the facts and statistics about Teen Dating Violence?

Where else can I learn about Teen Dating Violence?

Get Help - Stop Domestic Violence in Travis County

Travis County Domestic Violence Resource Video

WORRIED ABOUT A FRIEND?
How can I help a friend in an abusive dating relationship?
 

Related Documents

2007 Poster Contest Winners!- This file contains small pictures of all the winning designs in 2007's Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Poster Contest.

Safety Plan for Teens- Safety planning is important whether or not you are ready to break up.

A Guide to Addressing Dating Violence in Texas Schools- Effective immediately, HB 121 requires all Texas school districts to adopt a Dating Violence policy which includes (1) a definition of dating violence, (2) sections on safety planning, (3) enforcement of protective orders, (4) school-based alternatives to protective orders, (5) training for teachers and administrators, (6) counseling for affected students, and (7) awareness education for students and parents/guardians. This document will assist schools and community groups in meeting those requirements.

2008 Poster Contest Winner- This file contains the winning design from Vista Ridge HS' Olivia Engen in this year's Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Poster Contest.