According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), teen dating violence is common: One in four adolescents reports verbal, emotional, physical or sexual dating violence each year. In high school, one in five girls and one in 10 boys who have been in relationships have experienced physical or sexual dating violence – or both.
That works out to an average of five girls and three boys in every average-sized classroom* in the United States.
“Preventing dating violence requires a comprehensive community-driven strategy to stop violence before it starts,” says the CDC brochure “Dating Matters.”
We agree. Building a caring community that is resilient and trauma-informed can improve the overall well-being and public health of every resident. The great news is that with teen dating violence, prevention efforts can drastically reduce domestic abuse later in life by educating both victims and perpetrators.
Parents. Teachers. Coaches. Church leaders. Marching band instructors. Coffee shop baristas. Elected officials. Bus drivers. We all have to participate! Wherever young people are found, adults can and should let them know that they deserve to be treated with respect. They deserve happy, healthy, safe relationships. They deserve to be in control of their lives, not being controlled by the person they’re dating.
Teen dating violence can lead to lifelong problems with depression, self-destructive behaviors and a continued cycle of victimization or perpetration. It’s up to us to equip our kids to expect positive, respectful dating experiences.
If you’re not sure how to help, get our Teen and Parent Resource Cards. Take the first step toward being part of a caring, informed community that protects its young people.
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*https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=EDU_CLASS
