Understanding Teen Dating Violence

Dating violence is a type of intimate partner violence. It occurs between two people in a close relationship. The nature of dating violence can be physical, emotional, or sexual:

• Physical—This occurs when a partner is pinched, hit, shoved, slapped, punched, or kicked.
• Psychological/Emotional—This means threatening a partner or harming his or her sense of self-worth. Examples include name-calling, shaming, bullying, embarrassing on purpose, or keeping him or her away from friends and family.
• Sexual—This is forcing a partner to engage in a sex act when he or she does not or cannot consent. This can be physical or nonphysical, like threatening to spread rumors if a partner refuses to have sex.
• Stalking—This refers to a pattern of harassing or threatening tactics that are unwanted and cause fear in the victim.

Dating violence can take place in person or electronically, such as repeated texting or posting sexual pictures of a partner online.

Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Teens often think some behaviors, like teasing and name-calling, are a "normal" part of a relationship. However, these behaviors can become abusive and develop into more serious forms of violence.

Why is dating violence a public health problem?

Dating violence is a widespread issue that had serious long-term and short-term effects. Many teens do not report it because they are afraid to tell friends and family:

• Among adult victims of rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, 22% of women and 15% of men first experienced some form of partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age.¹
• Approximately 9% of high school students report being hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the 12 months before surveyed.²

How does dating violence affect health?

Dating violence can have a negative effect on health throughout life. Youth who are victims are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, engage in unhealthy behaviors, like using tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, or exhibit antisocial behaviors and think about suicide.^3,4,5 Youth who are victims of dating violence in high school are at higher risk for victimization during college.⁶

Who is at risk for dating violence?

Factors that increase risk for harming a dating partner include⁷:

• Belief that dating violence is acceptable
• Depression, anxiety, and other trauma symptoms
• Aggression towards peers and other aggressive behaviour
• Substance use
• Early sexual activity and having multiple sexual partners
• Having a friend involved in dating violence
• Conflict with partner
• Witnessing or experiencing violence in the home

How can dating violence be prevented?

The ultimate goal is to stop dating violence before it starts. Strategies that promote healthy relationships are vital. During the preteen and teen years, young people are learning skills they need to form positive relationships with others. This is an ideal time to promote healthy relationships and prevent patterns of dating violence that can last into adulthood.

References

1. Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J., Smith, S.G., Walters, M.L., Merrick, M.T. et al. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012, June 8). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2011: Surveillance summaries. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 61(SS4), 2–45. Retrieved March 9, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/
3. Foshee, V.A., McNaughton Reyes, H.L., Gottfredson, N.C., Chang, L.Y. & Ennett, S.T. (2013). A longitudinal examination of psychological, behavioral, academic, and relationship consequences of dating abuse victimization among a primarily rural sample of adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53, 723–729.
4. Roberts, T.A., Klein, J.D. & Fisher, S. (2003). Longitudinal effect of intimate partner abuse on high-risk behavior among adolescents. Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine, 157, 875–881.
5. Exner-Cortens, D., Eckenrode, J. & Rothman, E. (2013). Longitudinal associations between teen dating violence victimization and adverse health outcomes. Pediatrics, 71, 71–78.
6. Smith, P.H., White, J.W. & Holland, L.J. (2003). A longitudinal perspective on dating violence among adolescent and college-age women. American Journal of Public Health, 93(7), 1104–1109.
7. Vagi, K.J., Rothman, E., Latzman, N.E., Teten Tharp, A., Hall, D.M. & Breiding, M. (2013). Beyond correlates: A review of risk and protective factors for adolescent dating violence perpetration. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42, 633–649.