Mutual respect, consideration and trust are elements that comprise a healthy relationship, according to the Nemours Center for Children’s Health Media. If a relationship doesn’t have all these traits, it might be abusive or have the potential to become abusive. It is important to learn how to recognize warning signs and take preventive actions.
Statistics
Abuse isn’t uncommon in teenage dating relationships. According to a 2006 survey by Teenage Research Unlimited, one in five teens who have been in a serious relationship has been physically abused by a partner. Also, one in three girls who have been in a relationship admitted to having been concerned about being physically abused by her partner. One in four teenagers in the same survey said that a dating partner has tried to prevent her from spending time with anyone but him, and one in four teen girls in the study reported that she has felt pressured to go further sexually than she wanted to go.
Prevention
With some careful planning, teenagers can reduce their risk of being abused in a dating relationship. According to the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, teenagers should know the exact plans for a date, and tell a parent or friends about those plans as well as an expected arrival time; consider double-dating on their first few dates with a new person; tell a friend if they are planning to leave a party with someone they don’t know well; ask a friend to call and check in to ensure they arrived home safely; act assertive in all relationships; trust their instincts; and be aware of a decreased ability to respond to abuse when under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Warning Signs
The most obvious sign that a teenager is in an abusive relationship is if she has been physically injured, but not all abused teenagers have been kicked, pushed, grabbed or pushed. Teenagers should be aware of other abusive qualities, including a partner who tries to control different aspects of his girlfriend’s life, including choice of friends and outfits; a partner who threatens harm; a partner who consistently humiliates his girlfriend or tries to make her feel unworthy; a partner who twists the truth to turn blame onto his girlfriend; and a partner who acts jealous and angry, according to Nemours.
Warning Signs in a Friend
Because teenagers in abusive dating relationships might be in denial or afraid to leave an abusive partner, their friends can step up if they notice warning signs. According to Nemours, an abused teen might have unexplained injuries such as bruises or sprains, unexplained guilt or shame, become secretive or isolated from loved ones, and frequently avoid school or social events with strange excuses.
Getting Help
Teenagers who have been abused by a dating partner should seek help as soon as possible by talking to a trusted adult such as a teacher, school counselor, church leader or parent. With assistance, you can draw up a safe plan for breaking off the relationship. For example, you might change your method of getting to and from school, change your school locker, pair up with friends when you walk between classes, change your cell phone number, have emergency contact numbers with you at all times and have a physical escape plan in the event of an emergency, according to the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
