Teens and Dating Violence

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is an annual national campaign during the month of February that aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of teen dating violence and to educate young people about healthy relationships.

The Devasting Effects of Teen Dating Violence

Teen dating violence is a serious issue that affects many young people in the U.S. It refers to physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological abuse that occurs between individuals in a dating relationship. Experiencing this type of violence can have serious and long-lasting negative effects on mental and physical health, including:

  • Physical harm: Dating violence can lead to physical injuries, such as bruises, broken bones, and in severe cases, even death.

  • Emotional and mental harm: Experiencing violence by a dating partner can have a profound impact on a young person's emotional well-being and mental health. Victims of teen dating violence often suffer from fear, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other trauma-related health problems. They may also develop lower self-esteem and a negative self-image.

  • Increased risk of substance use: Teens who experience dating violence are at a higher risk of developing substance use problems, as they may turn to drugs or alcohol as a means to cope with the trauma of their experiences.

  • Poor academic performance: Those who experience teen dating violence may struggle to concentrate in school, leading to lower grades and difficulty graduating.

  • Risky behavior: Teen dating violence can lead to risky behaviors, such as early sexual activity, unprotected sex, and pregnancy.

  • Future relationship problems: Those experiencing teen dating violence are more likely to experience violence in future relationships.

Helping Teens Develop Healthy Relationships

Healthy dating relationships are important for teens as they lay the foundation for future relationships and help them to develop healthy communication and interpersonal skills. Here are some ways that we can help teens to develop healthy dating relationships:

  • Encourage open communication: Encourage teens to communicate openly with their partners about their feelings, expectations, and boundaries. This can help to prevent misunderstandings and build trust.

  • Teach respect: Teach teens to respect their partner's feelings, opinions, and decisions, even if they don't agree with them. This is an important aspect of healthy relationships.

  • Promote equality: Encourage teens to have equal, mutual relationships where both partners have a say in decisions and both partners are respected.

  • Encourage self-esteem: Help teens to develop a positive self-image and self-esteem. When they feel good about themselves, they are less likely to tolerate unhealthy relationship patterns and behaviors.

  • Discuss consent: Discuss the importance of consent in relationships and teach teens to seek and give enthusiastic, informed consent in all aspects of their relationships.

  • Encourage independence: Encourage teens to maintain their own interests, friends, and goals, even within the context of a relationship. Maintaining independence helps to prevent unhealthy codependency.

  • Address warning signs: Teach teens to recognize warning signs of unhealthy relationships, such as controlling behavior, jealousy, and physical or emotional abuse, and encourage them to seek help if needed.

  • Lead by example: As a parent, teacher, or other trusted adult, modeling healthy relationship behaviors and communication skills can have a big impact on how teens approach their own relationships.

By promoting these values and behaviors, we can help teens and young adults develop healthy dating relationships and lay the foundation for successful relationships in the future.

During Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, organizations and individuals across the country are working to raise awareness about the issue and to educate young people about how to identify and prevent dating violence. This can include events, workshops, and campaigns aimed at promoting healthy relationships and ending violence in teen dating.

If you or someone you know is experiencing violence by a partner, call the Next Step Domestic Violence Project’s 24/7 HelpLine 1–800–315–5579, serving Maine’s Hancock and Washington counties. You do NOT have to be in crisis to call.

It is important to raise awareness about teen dating violence and to educate young people about healthy relationships in order to prevent this type of violence from happening in the first place. By working together, we can create a safer and healthier future for all young people.

For additional resources visit the Next Step DV Project website at https://www.nextstepdvproject.org.

POSTTracey CarlsonSB, teens, dating violence, healthy relationships, emotional health, self-esteem, substance use prevention, partner violence