Teen dating violence
Encyclopedia
What is teen dating violence?
Teen dating violence is defined as the physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional violence within a dating relationship. According to the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the prevalence of teen dating violence is often misunderstood. According to a 2009 nationwide survey the CDC reports that 9.8 percent of high school students report that they have been deliberately physically hurt by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the preceding 12 months.For example, Jennifer Ann Crecente
Jennifer Ann Crecente
Jennifer Ann Crecente , a victim of teen dating violence, was an 18-year-old high school honor student who was shot and killed in southwest Austin, Texas by an ex-boyfriend, Justin Crabbe on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. She was a camp counselor at SciTrek in Atlanta and hospital volunteer in Austin...
(September 9, 1987 – February 15, 2006), a victim of teen dating violence, was an 18-year-old high school honor student who was shot and killed in southwest Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
by an ex-boyfriend, Justin Crabbe on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. She was a camp counselor at SciTrek
SciTrek
The Science & Technology Museum of Atlanta, usually known as SciTrek, was located at 395 Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia, next to the Atlanta Civic Center. It was forced to close in August 2004 due to reduced federal and state funding, as well as poor fundraising results, but hoped to reopen...
in Atlanta and hospital volunteer in Austin. Jennifer Ann's Group
Jennifer Ann's Group
The Jennifer Ann Crecente Memorial Group, Inc., commonly known as "Jennifer Ann's Group", is a Code Section 501 public charity based in Atlanta, Georgia, whose aims are to educate young people about the prevalence of teen dating violence, how to identify these relationships and how to extricate...
, a public charity based in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, was established in her name to educate young people about the prevalence of teen dating violence, how to identify these relationships and how to extricate themselves safely from such relationships.
Prevalence of teen dating violence
Surveys indicate that the majority of American teens who have had sex wish they had waited. Among sexually active girls, two-thirds say they didn't want to lose their virginity when they did or that they had mixed feelings about it.Only a small percentage of women who had sex before age 18 said it was completely wanted. Just 1% chose to have sex when they were 13 or younger, 5% at 14 or 15 years old, and 10% at 16 or 17 years old. Another 42% reported that losing their virginity before age 18 was not completely wanted, while the remaining portion of the sample waited until age 18 or older to have sex (wanted, 22%; unwanted, 21%).
A first sexual experience that was unwanted or not completely wanted was strongly associated with future divorce. "If the sex was not completely wanted or occurred in a traumatic context, it's easy to imagine how that could have a negative impact on how women might feel about relationships, or on relationship skills," Anthony Paik, associate professor of sociology at the University of Iowa, said. "The experience could point people on a path toward less stable relationships."
Legislation
In the United States, the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) states that "[p]olicymakers can play a role in preventing teen dating violence" and lists those states that currently have laws requiring school boards to develop and adopt programs to address this issue. Further, according to NCSL "[i]n 2011 at least eight states have introduced legislation to address teen dating violence."On January 31, 2011 President Obama proclaimed February, 2011 to be "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month." In 2006, the U.S. first recognized "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week," sponsored by Senator Mike Crapo, to "increase public awareness and education of the prevalence of teen dating violence among our nation's teens."
The first week in February was so recognized through 2009. Beginning in 2010, Senator Crapo joined the Department of Justice in recognizing the month of February as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.
Loveisrespect teen hotline
Loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse HelplineLoveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
loveisrespect National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline was launched February 8, 2007 by the National Domestic Violence Hotline. This 24-hour national Web-based and telephone resource was created to help teens experiencing dating abuse, and is the only helpline in the country serving all 50 states,...
, created through by National Domestic Violence Hotline
National Domestic Violence Hotline
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is a 24-hour, confidential, toll-free hotline created through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. Hotline staff immediately connect the caller to a service provider in his or her area...
, is a 24-hour national Web-based and telephone resource was created to help teens (ages 13-18) experiencing dating abuse, and is the only helpline in the country serving all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
See also
- Outline of domestic violenceOutline of domestic violenceThe following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to domestic violence:Domestic violence – pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship, such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
United States
- Jennifer Ann's GroupJennifer Ann's GroupThe Jennifer Ann Crecente Memorial Group, Inc., commonly known as "Jennifer Ann's Group", is a Code Section 501 public charity based in Atlanta, Georgia, whose aims are to educate young people about the prevalence of teen dating violence, how to identify these relationships and how to extricate...
- Holla Back!
- Loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse HelplineLoveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helplineloveisrespect National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline was launched February 8, 2007 by the National Domestic Violence Hotline. This 24-hour national Web-based and telephone resource was created to help teens experiencing dating abuse, and is the only helpline in the country serving all 50 states,...
- National Domestic Violence HotlineNational Domestic Violence HotlineThe National Domestic Violence Hotline is a 24-hour, confidential, toll-free hotline created through the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. Hotline staff immediately connect the caller to a service provider in his or her area...
- Peer Health ExchangePeer Health ExchangePeer Health Exchange is a 5013 organization that was created to address health problems in today's youth. It is made up of college students in Boston, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and the Bay Area who volunteer in public high schools to teach health education classes...
United Kingdom
- Holla Back!
- Women's Aid Federation of England
External links
Canadian resources:- RespectED, Provided by the Canadian Red Cross, give information to teens, parents, and teachers about abuse in dating relationships.
UK resources:
US resources:
- Alabama Coalition Against Dating Violence - provides a Dating Bill of Rights.
- Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness
- Jennifer Ann's Group - provides free educational materials to schools and groups and sponsors video game contests about teen dating violence from Jennifer Ann's GroupJennifer Ann's GroupThe Jennifer Ann Crecente Memorial Group, Inc., commonly known as "Jennifer Ann's Group", is a Code Section 501 public charity based in Atlanta, Georgia, whose aims are to educate young people about the prevalence of teen dating violence, how to identify these relationships and how to extricate...
. - Love Is Not Abuse.org - sponsored by Liz ClaiborneLiz ClaiborneAnne Elisabeth Jane "Liz" Claiborne was a Belgian-born American fashion designer and entrepreneur. Claiborne is best known for founding Liz Claiborne Inc. which in 1986 became the first company founded by a woman to make the Fortune 500...
, provides educational materials. - Love Is Respect.org, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline.
- National Youth Violence Prevention Center - offers articles and fact sheets.
- The Safe Space.org - created by Break the Cycle, offers information and allows teens to submit questions.