1 in 11 high school students report being physically or verbally abused by a dating partner. (“Dating Violence against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Use, Journal of American Medicine, Vol. 286, No. 5, August 1, 2001) Date rape is a serious problem among teens and is the most common form of rape. Check out this awesome website for more info www.seeitandstopit.org

Estimates of dating violence involving middle and high school students range form 28% to 96%. (National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center)

Dating violence can take many forms, including psychological abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.

Sexual violence is wrong and it is illegal!!!

PREVENTION IS YOUR BEST DEFENSE FROM BECOMING A STATISTIC!!!!!!

Signs of a problem:

Your boyfriend or girlfriend

• pressures you to become serious or to have sex.
• is extremely jealous or possessive.
• tries to control you and forcefully make all the decisions.
• verbally and emotionally degrades you by yelling, manipulating, and/or making you feel guilty.
• uses alcohol or drugs excessively and refuses to take responsibility for their own behavior.
• threatens physical violence.
• has a history of abusive relationships.

If you recognize any of the above signs in your current relationship, trust your feelings and seek help.

You have the right to say NO.

Your boyfriend or girlfriend does not have the right to tell you what you can or should do, wear, or the kind of friends you should make.

• Clearly communicate your limits and values.
• If your date does not respect those limits and values or their behavior is weird, trust your feelings!
• If you are feeling pressured, you have the right to say “NO”.
• Be assertive and act immediately.

(Talking About Touching a Personal Safety Curriculum)

If you are in a violent or potentially violent relationship, seek help.

Tell someone you trust such as a teacher, friend, parent, or guidance counselor. The local domestic violence shelter provides assistance.

Safe Horizons

(810) 985-4950

Friends in an abusive relationship may also:

• Change their style of clothing or makeup
• Lose their confidence or have difficulty with decision making
• Stop spending time with you and other friends
• Poor school performance, failing grades and decrease participation in school activities.
• Increased drug or alcohol use.

1. If you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship, seek help.

2. Talk to an adult immediately about your concerns - it is not wise to carry the burden by yourself.
3. If you feel safe, perhaps speaking with the person about seeking help for their abusive behavior.  Refer them to the local domestic violence shelter.
4. If you are hurting someone else, have the courage to get help!!
5. Remember, physical and sexual violence is illegal and can land you in jail.

     Work to educate other teenagers about dating violence.

• Use your voice. Do not condone jokes about rape or violence. Speak up and know it is wrong. Confront the individual on his/her abusive behavior.
• Respect women and treat them as equals
• Write a letter to your local paper to educate the public on sexual violence.
• Start a sexual violence awareness club at your school.
• Volunteer your time with an organization that strives to educate the community on issues of sexual  violence.
• Know you school policy on sexual violence.
• Listen. If someone tells you they have been a victim of sexual violence…BELIEVE them and seek help.

Be assertive in setting boundaries in relationships.

Any contact that is unwanted should be firmly discouraged.  

Avoid alcohol and drugs to keep your judgment clear.

Stay in public settings.

Define your own physical limits in relationships.

Determine what  your comfort level is in a relationship.

Defend your limits.

Respect the boundaries that your dating partner sets for themselves and your relationship.