American teens are experiencing alarmingly high levels of abuse in their dating relationships, and the economy appears to have made it worse, according to a study released June 10 by the Family Violence Prevention Fund and Liz Claiborne Inc.

The survey found that nearly half of all teens whose families have experienced economic problems in the past year report having witnessed their parents abusing each other. These teens report a higher incidence of abuse in their own dating relationships. Also, family conversations about dating abuse are drowned out by talks about money.

The study further uncovered that parents don’t comprehend the level of teen dating violence. Most abused teens are not telling their parents about the abuse and, even when they do, most stay in abusive relationships.

Nearly one in three teens report actual sexual abuse, physical abuse or threats of physical abuse. Nearly one in four have been victimized through technology, and nearly one in two teens in relationships report being controlled, threatened and pressured to do things they did not want to do.

What Campuses Should Do
According to Bronwyn Blake, founder and senior attorney for the Teen Justice Initiative, school officials should be aware of the legal implications if they fail to report dating violence. “Teachers are mandatory reporters,” she tells Campus Safety magazine. “They could be held criminally liable if they don’t report it.” She also believes that dating violence could potentially be considered sexual harassment.

Blake says if school or university administrators, teachers, parents or other students suspect someone is experiencing violence in a dating relationship, they can and should be supportive of the victim. “Let the victim know you care about them, you don’t like how they are being treated, and you are ready to help them if they are ready to get help,” she says.

This approach should also be used if a teacher, administrator, parent or student sees another student being verbally or emotionally abused. Blake says that very often, this type of behavior is a warning sign that the relationship may become violent.

Blake is also an advocate for victims knowing their legal options and taking advantage of protective orders, which are also known as restraining orders or stay-away orders. She says they are the best way to keep students safe. “It’s the only intervention we know of that corresponds to a decrease in domestic violence,” she says. “We know they are 80 percent effective. It’s better than other interventions, such as going into hiding, changing your name, taking a self defense class or carrying a gun.”

Help is Available
The following links provide guidance to teen relationship abuse victims and their friends and families:

• www.GiveRespect.org helps parents talk to their children, define and promote healthy relationships, and intervene if abuse begins.
• Family Violence Prevention Fund: www.EndAbuse.org
• National Teen Dating Abuse Web site and hotline: www.LoveIsRespect.org or (866) 331-9474
• Texas Advocacy Project: www.TexasAdvocacyProject.org

Other Findings:

• There appears to be a link between the economy, higher levels of violence and abuse between parents, and teens’ own experience with dating violence and abuse.
  • Nearly three-fourths (74 percent) of all teens surveyed report their families have experienced economic problems in the past year.
  • Nearly half of these teens (44 percent) report witnessing some form of violent or abusive behavior between their parents. These behaviors include repeated verbal abuse (35 percent), severe controlling behavior (27 percent), or physical abuse and threats (18 percent).
  • Notably, 67 percent of these same teens experienced some form of dating violence and abuse themselves (vs. 45 percent of teens who have not witnessed domestic violence between their parents). Teens who have witnessed domestic violence and abuse between their parents experience abuse at a 50 percent higher rate than those who have not witnessed abuse.

• Nearly two-thirds of parents (63 percent) whose children have been in a dating relationship say dating violence and abuse have not been a problem for their teens, but the data shows otherwise.

• The majority of teens in abusive relationships have not confided in their parents. When teens do confide in their parents, significant numbers do not heed parents’ advice.

• Overall, despite its prevalence, dating abuse remains hidden and is not being talked about by teens and parents.

• Conversations on dating abuse are difficult and unproductive because both teens and their parents are extremely uncomfortable talking to each other about the most serious aspects of dating abuse.

• Dads appear to be much more in touch with the reality of teen dating abuse than Moms; however, Dads and teens aren’t talking.

• The majority of teens who have been taught about teen dating violence and abuse say it has helped them.

• Most parents claim their child’s school does not provide education on dating abuse, and most are at a loss for where to get help.

Click here to view the complete survey results.

If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Related Content