Teenage Dating Violence: Signs, Examples of Dating Violence

Dating violence is violence that occurs within a dating relationship rather than, say, marriage; and dating violence is as much a problem for teenagers as it is for adults. In fact, statistics show that one-in-three teenagers have experienced teenage domestic violence in a dating relationship. In 1995, 7% of all murder victims were young women who were killed by their boyfriends.¹

In situations of dating violence, one partner tries to exert power and control over the other partner through physical abuse or sexual assault. Emotional abuse is commonly present alongside physical abuse or sexual abuse that takes place.

Sexual violence in dating relationships is also a major concern. A survey of adolescent and college students revealed that date rape accounted for 67% of sexual assaults and 60% of rapes take place in the victim's home or in that of a friend or relative.

Why Teenage Dating Violence Occurs

Dating violence seems to decrease once young adults move beyond being a teenager. Part of this may be because of the way teenagers see themselves and because of their newness to dating. According to The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, young men and women may have certain beliefs that lead to a higher incidence of dating violence.

For example, teenage men may believe:

• They have the right to "control" their female partners in any way necessary
• "Masculinity" is physical aggressiveness
• They "possess" their partner
• They should demand intimacy
• They may lose respect if they are attentive and supportive of their girlfriends

Teenage women may believe:

• They are responsible for solving problems in their relationships
• Their boyfriend's jealousy, possessiveness, and even physical abuse is "romantic"
• Abuse is "normal" because their friends are also being abused
• There is no one to ask for help

And while all of those beliefs can also be seen in adults, they are likely more prevalent in teens.

Warning Signs of Dating Abuse

There are many warning signs of dating abuse and they should always be taken seriously. A pattern does not have to occur for it to be considered dating violence – one incidence of violence is abuse and it is one too many.

Warning signs of dating violence are similar to those seen in adults. These signs of dating abuse can be seen outside the relationship and include:

• Physical signs of injury
• Truancy, dropping out of school
• Failing grades
• Indecision
• Changes in mood or personality
• Use of drugs/alcohol
• Pregnancy
• Emotional outburst
• Isolation

Within the relationship itself, there are also signs of dating abuse:²

• Checking your cell phone or email without permission
• Constantly putting you down
• Extreme jealousy or insecurity
• Explosive temper
• Isolating you from family or friends
• Making false accusations
• Mood swings
• Physically hurting you in any way
• Possessiveness
• Telling you what to do

Examples of Dating Violence

Dating violence is any situation in which one partner purposefully causes emotional, physical or sexual pain on another. Examples of dating emotional abuse include:

• Humiliating your partner
• Controlling what your dating partner can and cannot do
• Withholding information from your partner
• Deliberately doing something to make your partner feel dismissed or embarrassed
• Isolating your partner from family or friends
• Abuse over electronic devices such as via text or on the internet
• Threatening your partner

"Maria and Devon went to a house party last weekend – no parents. Devon said he'd dump Maria if they didn't hook up. Maria eventually gave into Devon's demands."³

Examples of physical or sexual dating violence include:

• Hitting
• Pinching
• Punching
• Twisting
• Biting
• Forced sexual activity such as touching, peeping, nude photos or intercourse
• Sexual harassment

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