Dating Abuse
Safe and Healthy Relationships
Your son or daughter is growing up. They’ve gone through elementary school, moved on into middle or high school, and they’ve fallen in love.
Holding hands in the hallway, kissing for the first time – these are some of the sweeter aspects of those relationships. But there can be darker sides as well.
Abusive behavior can range from demanding that the victim be home to receive a call at a certain time, to date rape.
Forty percent of teenage girls aged 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend, according to the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence. And while most victims are girls, boys can also find themselves abused in a relationship.
The world has become a turbulent, difficult place for many teens. Protect your child. Be alert and aware, and keep track of what’s going on in their world.
In an emergency, who should I call?
In an emergency, always call 911. Even if you are feeling threatened but you haven’t been attacked, it is still ok to call 911.
Additional Resources
An article with further information about abusive relationships.
Liz Claiborne, Inc. has a good range of information on preventing domestic violence, including A Parents Guide to Teen Dating Violence.
TEAR (Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships), founded and run exclusively by teens, is another good resource.