Healthy
O
ctober was Domestic Violence Awareness month.
But intimate partner
violence doesn’t begin
when a ring is on a finger or when the
guy moves in. It happens in teen dating
relationships, too. Consider these facts:
In 2001, 1 out of 5 female high school
students reported being physically
and/or sexually abused by a partner
(“Dating Violence Against….,”Journal
of American Medical Association);
Among female victims of partner violence, a current or former boyfriend or
girlfriend victimized 94% of those between ages of 16-19 (Bureau of Justice
Statistics, 7, 2001); and Females ages
16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate
partner violence than any other age
group (U.S. Department of Justice,
“Special Report, Intimate Partner Violence...” Oct, 2001).
Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention
Center’s education program has been
in local schools. Area teens admit it
happens. Most of them are afraid to
talk about it or don’t know where to
begin to get help.
There are red flags to be aware of if
you see behavior in your teen’s dating
relationships. Your teen may be a victim of teen dating violence if they:
•
Sneak around and lie about behavior with their dating partner.
•
Are isolated from friends and family when being with their dating
partner.
•
Frequently have to “check in” with
their dating partner.
?Healthy
Homes
by Brenda Yoder, MA, Writer, Speaker, Educator
Have a change in mood or character when around them.
phones, tablet and network history. Disable GPS tracking on their
smartphone.
• Experience extreme jealousy or
4. If something doesn’t “feel” right to
possessiveness from them.
you, it probably isn’t.
• Are afraid to make them angry.
5. Listen to your teen. Don’t judge
• Get overly upset after a phone call,
them if this behavior is happening,
text message, or personal contact
but support them.
with them.
If your teen is in an abusive
• Unexplained marks on their body.
relationship:
• Often request to be exclusively
1. Contact your local domestic
alone with them versus both of
violence agency for assistance
them hanging out with family
with restraining orders or other
members.
information.
• Have a decline in school perfor2. Empower your teen to break up.
mance or lack of interest in social
Set boundaries for them, model
activities.
words to say, and give them re• Are afraid to make them upset.
sources they can use for ending the
• Are quick to do anything their
relationship.
partner asks of them.
3. Establish a safety plan.
If your teen has signs of an un4. Keep record of harassing messages,
healthy relationship:
online communication and contact
1. Don’t minimize the unhealthy
local authorities.
behavior.
5. Talk to school officials about keep2. Listen to things your teen may not
ing your child safe at school.
be saying. They often don’t come
6. Seek professional help.
out and ask for help.
7. Gain more information. National
3. Monitor your child’s online and
Dating Hotline: 1-866-331-9474;
digital behavior. Require knowlwww.loveisrespect.org; and www.
edge of passwords, check cell
loveisnotabuse.org
Often apologize for their partner’s
behavior.
•
•
Hearts
we can travel
Lori Hochstetler
November ‘13 · The Hometown Treasure
23