Adolescent Dating Violence

IntroductionIn recent history, dating violence has become a paramount issue in American society. With the rates of domestic violence on the rise, much research has been conducted that provides evidence that violence during dating relationships in the teen years is a strong contributing factor to later domestic violence. Current research is revealing that a far larger percentage of teens are suffering from some amount of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in their dating relationships. Studies have shown that both those who engage in the violent behaviors, as well as those who are the victims of these acts are more likely to be involved in violent relationships in the future. The significant number of individuals involved in these

like gender, social class, sexual orientation, and other aspects of life. With this social attunement

Millions of adults each year in the USA are affected by intimate partner violence (IPV). “The National Violence Against Women (NVAW) survey conducted from November, 1995 to May, 1996 indicates that each year an estimated 8.5 million intimate partner victimizations occur among the US population ages 18 and older” (Fang & Corso, 2008, p. 303). “As recognition of IPV as a serious societal problem increases, more attention has been directed to risk and protective factors for IPV perpetration, especially the link between child maltreatment, victimization and future perpetration of IPV” (Fang & Corso, 2008, p. 303). More than 80 percent of all victims are maltreated by one or both parents. Several studies have found that children who have experienced child maltreatment (neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse) are more likely as adults to conduct IPV. Of these children, 54 percent suffered neglect, while almost a quarter, 23 percent, suffered physical abuse and nearly 12 percent of the victims were sexually abused (Fang & Corso, 2008).

People assault their women on their dates as well (Black B. 2011). Indeed, there is a factor that women usually dress nice and puts on makeup to look beautiful. Men get hormonally active when they find women beautiful. Here, the dating violence arises. Dating violence is controlling, abusive and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. It usually includes the physical violence called sexual abuse. This can mainly happen due to either jealousy or wanting to be superior in men’s case. The blame shouldn’t be given to men only, there is part of women as well. Several articles say that around more than 60 percent teens are involved in dating violence and they are the one who actually experience more (National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2013). The middle youths are at the lesser risk compared to the high school youths as they experience the negative impacts which affect their physical and psychological well-being. Additionally, this will affect them in their future relationships as well which could be way dangerous. The preventive measure here could be teaching teens in mixed groups of girls and boys about the dating violence. Or else, giving proper workshops in the group of girls and women separately would be a better

All three articles address dating violence as well as sexual assault. This topic is important to me because in this day and age dating violence and sexual assault are very common with individual’s period. Regardless of the person being homosexual or heterosexual, Edwards, Sylaska, Barry, Moynihan, Banyard, Cohn, Walsh and Ward (2015) were able to show studies that included participants being victimized of sexual assault and dating violence. Sexual assault and dating violence affects a lot of individuals mentally and physically. Ollen, Ameral, Reed, and Hines (2017) stated that being victimized not only ruins a person’s way of thinking when it comes to dating being put in the situation causes trust issues throughout that person’s

ADV has been associated with mental health concerns (e.g., depression), substance use, and negative views of school. One particular concern is that ongoing dating violence in adolescence is associated with intimate partner violence later in life” (Colbert, Draucker, & Martsolf, 2012, pp. 1-2). Adolescent dating violence is a serious issue that dramatically impacts the teens that are exposed to this trauma. This issue affects teens on a daily basis that causes psychological, physical, and emotional abuse in teens’ lives on a daily basis. For example, some of the teen dating violence include characteristics, such as emotional or psychological abuse, physical violence, and sexual abuse or violence. “Emotional or psychological abuse consist of verbal or nonverbal behaviors, such as name-calling, insults, criticism, stalking, and humiliate. Physical violence consist of hitting, punching, slapping, pushing, and choking. Sexual abuse or violence consist of attempted or forced sexual activity when a partner does not consent or is unable to do so, abusive sexual contact, and verbal sexual harassment” (Miller, Payne , Vasquez, & Ward, 2013). In addition, there are many other consequences and factors that are associate that are categorize as dating violence. Consequently, majority of teens does not consider the following characteristics as being abusive.

During the month of February, National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention takes place. In recognition of this month many states pushed social media campaigns to bring awareness that would hopefully result in prevention. The whole idea behind this campaign during February is to educate teens in dating violence. The importance to prepare others who may encounter an individual within a violent relationship is also highlighted. In 2015, Hall reports that nearly one and three young people will experience some sort of abuse in their relationships. The largest number of young girls likely to experience this trauma is between the ages of 16 to 24 (Hall, 2015). Most of these ages fall into the category of young adults, making the movement focused more on that age group. One of the issues presented with young adults is the lack of knowledge in dealing with dating violence. Educating this lifespan group is extremely important to prevention but it is also important to inform mentors the best way to address abuse. It was reported that 80% of school counselors feel unprepared to address incidents of abuse (Hall, 2015). The importance of communication and listening is stressed throughout the interview and the need to make the teenager feel comfortable enough to come forward. Therefore, if leaders of adolescents are not informed to do just that, then a portion of young adults will be trapped in

Dating violence is most commonly thought of in mature adult relationships, but it is also alarmingly common among youth. Youth experience many forms of dating violence. Dating violence includes a large range of abusive behaviors, such as physical, emotional, and sexual assault. These abusive behaviors occur between two people who have entered a romantic or sexual relationship together, and consider themselves to be a couple. Dating violence and victimization may occur in any romantic or sexual relationship, but the population of heterosexual female youth are more susceptible to experiencing this abuse. This paper is intended to examine the relationship that risk factors play in both the lives of perpetrators and victims alike. Risk factors are any characteristics that an individual possesses that could provide them with a predisposition towards violence, or towards being victimized by a romantic partner. Risk factors may include, but are not limited to: substance abuse, poor performance in school, lack of social acceptance, and mental health (Dank, Lachman, Zweig, & Yahner, 2013). Other risk factors can include family life and deviancy (Vézina & Hébert, 2007). An intervention method of decreasing youth dating violence will also be examined. This method consists of providing youth with appropriate ways of behaving in a relationship through a variety of techniques. By examining the roles played by both risk factors and intervention, it is apparent that female youth are more

I have fallen in love once, but it wasn’t your ideal love story. The guy I was in love with, seemed harmless when I first became involved with him. However, as the relationship grew, he began to abuse me: emotionally and physically. I was terrified, as he began to holler deleterious phrases and names at me, along with leaving bruises on my body. Who could I have turned to? What if he continues to hurt me, or even exceed the damage he’s already done if I were to tell anyone? Dating abuse: one of the many problems in the world that is mildly prominent, but is not being acknowledged to its full potential. Empathy and compassion should be directed towards dating abuse, because this is a continuous event that is still occurring to young adolescents today. Due to the unawareness of dating abuse, students and teachers should put in the effort to inform each other and those around them of dating abuse, as well as how to address it.

The results of this study show those women with a history of childhood physical abuse had experienced dating violence as well. “One hundred thirteen women (36.7%) reported a history of child physical abuse (see Table 1), and 82 (26.6%) women reported a history of moderate to severe dating violence. Of the 113 women with a child abuse history, 39 (34.5%) reported a history of moderate to severe dating violence. Of the 195 who reported minor or no child abuse history, 43 (22.1%) reported being the victims of moderate to severe dating violence” (Fiorillo, Papa & Follette, 2013). Differences in the rate of dating violence among women versus a history of non-child physical abuse were considerable. This shows that child physical abuse has a correlation with re-victimization through dating violence.

Teenage dating violence can be physical, sexual and/or physiological abuse. In the article, “There’s a Fine Line… Adolescent Dating Violence and Prevention,” author Judith Herrman explains “dating violence is the occurrence of physically, sexually and/or emotionally violent episodes in an intimate, interpersonal relationship” (Herrman 164). The violent relationship includes a victim along with a perpetrator. Adolescent years are a major stage of development for teenager and the inconsistency of teenage relationships is the reason teenage dating violence is on the rise. Dating violence can occur regardless of religion, ethnicity or socio-economic background. Domestic violence usually first occurs

Intimate partner violence (IPV; commonly referred to as dating violence in adolescence) is a serious public health problem in youth (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). Decades of empirical research have clearly demonstrated that having a history of IPV is associated with substantial physical and emotional costs, including depression, anxiety, anger, substance use, risky sexual behavior, cognitive impairment, chronic pain, injury, sexually transmitted disease, and suicidality (Campbell, 2002; Coker et al., 2002; Exner-Cortens, Eckenrode, & Rothman, 2013; Malik, Sorenson, & Aneshensel, 1997; Silverman, Raj, Mucci, & Hathaway, 2001; Straight, Harper, & Arias, 2003; Wolitzky-Taylor et al., 2008). Equally alarming is the high prevalence of IPV, with an estimated 10-20% of youth having experienced physical or sexual violence (Eaton, Davis, Barrios, Brener, & Noonan, 2007; Foshee et al., 2009; Shorey, Cornelius, & Bell, 2008) and even higher rates when examining at-risk samples or considering less severe forms of violence (Orpinas, Nahapetyan, Song, McNicholas, & Reeves, 2012; Wolfe, Scott, Wekerle, & Pittman, 2001). For example, empirical research has demonstrated that sexual minorities, particularly youth, are at increased risk for IPV (Dank Lachman, Zweig, & Yahner; 2014; Reuter, Sharp, & Temple, 2015).

Most of society is ignorant of dating abuse mishaps and the recurrence dating abuse. Dating abuse is when a partner of a relationship attempts to maintain dominance over the other through mental and physical manipulation. According to Mary Kay from Loveisrespect, “over fifty percent out of the 500 teens and young adults that were interviewed have experienced some type of abuse in a relationship. However, 40% of those people have remained silent.” These victims can range from anyone, especially teenagers. Family Violence Prevention Fund arrives that “one in ten high school students has been

Researchers use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to test their theory that there is an association between bullying and adolescent concerns about teen dating violence. Dating violence and bullying share similar characteristics. “For example, a dating partner may use physical violence or emotional threats of violence to maintain power and control over the other. It can be repeated and intentional, thus exemplifying similar characteristics as bullying perpetration”. The target audience in this audience it teens and adolescents. The authors would like for us to be aware of the correlation between bullying and teen dating violence.