Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence

Parents play a critical role in preventing and responding to dating violence. Caregivers can model and instill values that promote healthy dating relationships as well as observe signs of dating abuse or perpetration and seek appropriate help for their children. However, knowing the signs of Teen Dating violence can sometimes be hard to navigate.

Below are some warning signs to keep in mind: 

• A teen always apologizing for the behavior of their partner. 
• Loss of interest in activities that they previously enjoyed.
• The teen becoming more and more isolated.3.
• Excessive jealousy.
• A Teen casually mentioning violent behavior, but laughing it off. 
• Strong stereotyping of gender roles for males or females. 

This GoodTherapy.Org article reminds us that there are many extremely nuanced types of abuse. Violence can be included, but is definitely not limited, to the following:

• Physical abuse that occurs when a person uses physical force to harm another, but need not result in visible injuries to qualify. Hitting, kicking, pushing, biting, choking, and using weapons are all forms of physical abuse.
• Emotional abuse can take the form of insults, humiliation, degradation, manipulation, and intimidation. 
• Sexual abuse involves any act that directly or indirectly impacts a person’s ability to control their own sexual activity and the conditions surrounding it. It can take many forms, including forced sexual activity, using other means of abuse to pressure one into an activity, and restricting access to condoms or birth control.
• Financial abuse is a form of emotional abuse that uses money or material items as a means of control over another person.
• Digital abuse is any form of emotional abuse using technology. A person may use social media, texting, or other technological means to intimidate someone.