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Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence.
One in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
Nearly half (43%) of dating college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behaviors.

Who is involved?

What is teen dating violence?

One person repeatedly threatens to or actually acts in a way that verbally, physically, emotionally or sexually injures their partner;
The hurtful behavior is done more than once or repeatedly; and
One person is afraid of and intimidated by the other.

Where does teen dating violence happen?

What are the warning signs that someone might be in an abusive relationship?

Decrease in self-esteem since entering the relationship.
The interests, values and desires of her/his partner dominate the relationship.
Her/his partner is using name calling, threats, intimidation, insults, manipulation, physical or sexual abuse.
Her/his partner feels entitled to be in control and always decides how things will be.
S/he is afraid to break up; her/his partner will not let her/him leave.
S/he no longer spends time with friends and only spends time with her/his partner.
S/he receives constant text messages and/or phone calls from her/his partner.

How do I help someone who is in an abusive relationship?

How do I get out of an abusive relationship?

Tell someone. Especially If you are being physically or sexually abused and do not feel safe, it is important to tell someone immediately.
Document or journal the abuse (e.g., save text messages, emails, notes, or voicemails that are abusive or threatening)
Talk to a trusted adult.
Work with adults and friends to make a safety plan.
If you’ve decided to break-up, consider doing so in a public place or not breaking-up face-to-face (i.e., phone call, text message or email). Tell friends and family so they can support you.