Teens and Domestic Violence - Know the Warning Signs !
Statistics/warning signs teen dating violence
Do you know that domestic violence isn't just something that happens to adult women? According to the Journal of American Medical Association about 1 in 5 high school girls have been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner. Other research shows that 1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or otherwise physically hurt by his or her partner. Know the warning signs. Helpmate’s Outreach and Administrative Coordinator Christy Price is available for programs on teen dating violence and other related topics. She can be reached at cprice@helpmateonline.org or 254-2968 x12.
EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF TEEN DATING VIOLENCE
Ø DATING PARTNER IS JEALOUS, POSSESSIVE & CONTROLLING
Ø ACCUSES YOU OF CHEATING
Ø IS VERY BOSSY, GIVES ORDERS, MAKES ALL THE DECISIONS
Ø TELLS YOU WHAT TO WEAR OR WHAT NOT TO WEAR
Ø DOESN’T WANT YOU TO SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY
Ø CHECKS UP ON YOU OR TRIES TO “KEEP TABS ON YOU”
Ø WANTS YOU TO CARRY A PAGER OR CELL PHONE AT ALL TIMES
Ø WON’T ACCEPT BREAKING UP
Ø MAKES FUN OF YOUR OPINIONS, IDEAS OR BELIEFS
Ø YOU ARE SCARED OF HOW YOUR DATING PARTNER WILL REACT TO THINGS YOU SAY OR DO
Ø MAKES THREATS TO HURT YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE OR THREATENS TO COMMIT SUICIDE IF YOU BREAK UP
Ø USES WEAPONS OR DISPLAYS WEAPONS IN FRONT OF YOU
Ø HAS A HISTORY OF FIGHTING OR BULLYING
Ø BRAGS ABOUT MISTREATING OTHERS
Ø LOSES TEMPER QUICKLY OR IS IRRATIONALLY ANGRY ALL THE TIME
Ø IS FORCEFUL OR SCARY AROUND SEXUAL MATTERS
Ø DOESN’T TAKE “NO” FOR AN ANSWER, ESPECIALLY WITH SEXUAL MATTERS
Ø TRIES TO MANIPULATE OR GUILT TRIP YOU INTO HAVING SEX (For example, your dating partner says “If you really loved me, you would…” OR “If you won’t have sex with me, then I will find someone else that will”)
Ø ABUSES DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, ESPECIALLY IF THEY EXPECT YOU TO DO THE SAME OR TRY TO MANIPULATE YOU INTO USING SUBSTANCES
Ø BLAMES YOU FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR, SAYING YOU CAUSED THEM TO ACT THAT WAY (“You pushed my buttons” or “You led me on”)
Ø SEES GIRLS AS SEX OBJECTS OR HAS NEGATIVE VIEWS OF WOMEN
Ø THINKS THAT GIRLS SHOULD ALWAYS LISTEN TO GUYS AND ALWAYS DO WHAT THEY ARE TOLD OR FEELS THAT GUYS SHOULD MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS IN RELATIONSHIPS
Ø YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT YOU
Ø YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS WARN YOU ABOUT YOUR DATING PARTNER
