Dating violence is a type of intimate partner violence. It refers to abuse or maltreatment that occurs between two people in a close relationship or those who are casual dating partners. The nature of dating violence can be physical, emotional, or sexual.
Youth Dating Violence
Among adolescents, age and developmental stage play a role in what is defined as “dating violence.” For example, the context of dating, and dating behaviors, may vary widely by age and gender. Dating violence can occur in heterosexual or same-sex relationships.
Dating violence may be a single act of violence such as sexual assault or date rape or it may be a pattern of abusive behavior that often escalates over time. An abuser may use a number of different tactics to try to exert power and control over their victim.
Youth can be vulnerable to accepting violence in dating for many reasons such as:
- They have poor social skills.
- They suffer with depression or other mental health issues.
- They cannot manage conflict well.
- They feel it is acceptable behavior due to cultural upbringing.
- They have witnessed abuse in the home.
- They have low self esteem.
Adolescent Dating Violence is a Public Health Issue
Violence in dating is a serious problem. Many teenagers do not report it because they're afraid to tell their parents and in some cases, their friends. "Understanding Teen Dating Violence" is a document posted at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. This fact sheet states:
- 72% of 8th and 9th grade students report that they date.
- One in four adolescents report that they are verbally, physically, emotionally or sexually abused from a dating partner each year.
- About 10% of students across the United States report being physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past 12 months.
Anne Woudstra, a social worker who has worked with many youth says that dating violence has a negative emotional effect on an adolescent. Abused teenagers are more likely to do poorly in school and they may be more susceptible to peer pressures that involve drug and alcohol use. Sometimes the stress and anger that coincides with being abused can lead to depression and in some severe cases, suicidal ideations.
According to a longitudinal study on dating violence among adolescents and college-aged women (P. Smith, J White and L. Holland), published in the American Journal of Public Health, published in 2003, physically abused teens are three times more likely than their non-abused peers to experience violence during college.
Girls Are Becoming More Violent
According to “Crime in the United States (F.B.I. 2006),” published by the U.S. Department of Justice in “Girls Study Group,” from 1996 to 2005, "simple assault' arrests increased 24% for girls while for boys, there was a decrease of 4.1%." Anne Woudstra agrees, “Although males inflict harsh physical pain, more and more adolescent females are inflicting pain and wounds due to physical aggression.”
Families Need to Help Educate Their Children
Given the seriousness of dating violence there needs to be an ongoing commitment to educate our youth. Adolescents who engage in or are victimized by dating violence may be at risk at always being victimized or inflicting harm toward others. Addressing dating violence with young people in the home and in the school system may help to prevent future spousal abuse and other forms of family violence.
Helpful Resources
Kids Help Phone (Canada)1-800-668-6868 (Online at kidshelphone.ca)
National Domestic Violence Hotline (U.S.) 1-800-799-7233 (Online at ndvh.org)
National Clearing House on Family Violence
Karen Stephenson - Karen has written for several newspapers and print media in addition to many online publications. She holds a B.A. in English and an ...
Join the Conversation