Teen Relationships with Violence

This is not only about adults.
Unfortunately, adolescents in our communities are vulnerable to dating violence. The statistics are disturbing: 89 percent of teens say they have been in dating relationships, while 40 percent of teenage girls ages 14-17 report knowing someone their age who has been hurt or beaten by a boyfriend (Children Now/Kaiser Permanente, December 1995).

Research indicates that like adult domestic violence, females are the victims in most cases of teen violence (Levy, 1991; Foshee, 1996; Silverman, J. et al, 2001). Girls who experience dating violence are at increased risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, pregnancy and suicide (Silverman, Raj, Mucci and Hathaway, 2001).

Though the consequences of dating violence are serious, it is often difficult for young people to recognize and respond to abuse within their intimate relationships. Even when abuse is recognized, teens may be reluctant to seek support and protection from adults, particularly because of their limited life experiences, rights and access to resources. The issue may be further complicated when teens feel that their dating relationships are disapproved of in their religious community.

Our responsibility as religious communities is to reach out to society’s most vulnerable members by acknowledging and addressing the issues surrounding teen relationships and dating violence.  For teens it is essential that they receive education and have discussions about healthy relationships and building peer support.  Note: Much of this text was adapted from the publication, Teen Dating Violence Information and Resources (2004) by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.