Have you ever been in or seen a toxic relationship? Domestic violence or “Teen Dating Abuse” is very common. According to a nationwide statistic, “Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.” (https://www.dvs-or.org/). Women aged 16-24 experience nearly three times more domestic abuse than the national average.
What is Teen Dating Abuse?
Teen dating abuse is when a romantic partner (in teenage years) puts their partner in a harmful or violent situation, whether that be physically, sexually, or emotionally. Most victims don’t even know that they’re being abused in their relationship or don’t know where to go for help.
Types of Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is the most common in teen relationships and usually neither of the partners know these things are classified as abuse (even the abuser).
Emotional abuse includes (but not limited to):
- Gaslighting
- Manipulation
- Punching walls, furniture, ect.
- Using insulting language
- Humiliating/degrading
- Extreme jealousy
- Isolating your partner
- Slut shaming
- Suicide scaring
- Staking/harassing
- Controlling
Example
“Don’t talk to other (preferred sex)” “If you leave me I’ll hurt myself”
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the most known and visible form of abuse. Usually the abuser always knows what they are doing and how they are affecting their partner.
Examples of physical abuse is:
- Punching, slapping, kicking, or scratching
- Pulling hair
- Biting
- Strangling
- Driving recklessly with your partner in the vehicle
- Threatening with/using weapons
Sexual Abuse
1 in 9 teens under 18 have reported being sexually abused. Victims of sexual abuse as teens are 4 times more likely to have PTSD as adults.
Forms of sexual abuse include:
- Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity
- Pressuring into sexual acts
- Refusing to use protection
- Sexual activities while the victim is asleep or intoxicated
- Touching sexually without permission
Sexual abuse also includes persuasive speech like, “If you loved me you’d do this”, “I’ll break up with you if you don’t”.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any form of abuse call 800-799-7233 (24/7 National Domestic Abuse Hotline).
