The Issue Of Teen Domestic Abuse

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

Teen Dating Violence (TDV) is described as the physical, emotional, or sexual abuse that occurs within a relationship while dating. TDV can occur in person, or electronically by a current or former partner (CDC, 2014). Many adolescents and adults are unaware of the prevalence of TDV but a recent national study revealed that nearly 10% of adolescents have reported being hit, slapped, or intentionally physically hurt by someone they had claimed to be dating (CDC, 2014). About 20% of adult women who reported experiencing some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) also reported experiencing TDV between the ages of 11-17 (CDC, 2014). Also, black students experience TDV (14%) at a significantly higher rate than

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

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.

A problem that is becoming more and more common is teen dating abuse. The big issue of domestic violence has spilled over onto our kids with more and more girls getting abused by their boyfriends. Is this a problem that people isn't talking about, don't want to talk about, or want to stay blissfully ignorant that this is really going on. The fact is, it is going on and it must be dealt with. Here are some statistics for you based on a study provided by Liz Clairborne Inc; 13% of girls in a relationship reported physical abuse. 1 in 4 teen girls, who has been in a relationship, has been forced to perform sexual acts, and 1 in 5 have been threatened. The hard facts; our girls are getting physically and sexually abused by boys that we probably

Research on adolescent dating violence suggested that females were more likely than males to be victimizes by their dating partners (Roscoe & Kelsey, 1986). However currently some studies have reported similar dating violence rates for men and women (Arriaga & Foshee, 2004). Some studies have reported similar dating violence victimization rates for males and females (Arriaga & Foshee, 2004). According to a recent study of approximately 2,500 students attending two lU.S. universities, 24% of males showed physical violence against a partner, 32% of females showed physical violence against a partner, 57% of females committed psychological abuse against a partner, and 50% of male respondents committed psychological abuse against a partner (Gover,

1. This abuse can be found whether couples are married or unmarried and it is found in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Domestic Violence is not limited to physical abuse as it can also be found in the psychological, sexual, and emotional forms (Domestic Violence Opposing Viewpoints).

Dating violence can happen more than you think and to anyone. There are many problems now days that affect our society and people. One of the problems out there that people tend to forget is relationship abuse. All throughout the world, relationship abuse is being occurred every day and every hour. As people say, relationship violence has no zip code. Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone in all ages, race, sexual orientation, gender or even religion. Relationship violence can be either physical, sexual, or emotionally as well, just because you’re not being hit and bruised doesn’t mean you’re not being abused. It can also be towards both genders. Domestic violence is when the batterer uses acts of violence and a different of behaviors, threats, physical abuse, and isolation and to control the other person. Psychological violence is also as considered a abuse that can happen within relationship which is intense and repetitive humiliation, creating isolation, and controlling the actions or behaviors of the partner through manipulation to victim. In a website called “Safe Voices” it states that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and it is mostly women ages 16 to 24 who experience the highest relationship violence. One in three teens in the U.S. is a victim of relationship abuse from there dating partner. Many victims don’t know what to do in responds when getting abuse and don’t report the situation due to the fact that they

Once, I thought I had found love. I believed this guy was my everything; however, as the relationship grew, emotional and physical abuse were presented before me. I was terrified, as he began to holler deleterious phrases and names at me, and laid his hands on me. Do I seek for help? Am I just delusional? Insane? Dating abuse: one of the many problems in the world that exists, but is not being acknowledged to its potential. The main proposals for solutions is to be empathetic and expose the issue to its full potential. This is a continuous event, occurring to adolescents today.

Amongst adults being involved in abusive relationships, teenagers, as well as young adults are more exposed to it. “Violent behavior often begins between 6th and 12th grade.” ("11 Facts About Teen Dating Violence") 1 out of 3 young people are in an abusive or unhealthy relationship in the United States. 33% of adolescents in America have already been victim to sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional abuse while dating someone. Also in the U.S., 25% of high school girls, specifically have been abused physically or sexually. Teen girls who have been abused as so are 6 times more likely to become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted infection. Out of the entire population, females between the ages of 16 and 24 are

Dating violence takes place in person or electronically. Social media has increased the opportunity for the abuser to inflict verbal and emotional abuse on the teen where they should be safest, their own home. Recognizing changes, isolation from friends and family, emotional changes, spiraling from upbeat to sadness, constant communication by phone or text regarding the teen’s activities or whereabouts, sudden changes in appearance or quickly becoming defensive over the boy/girlfriend can be warning signs. Symptoms of depression, anxiety may manifest. The teen may suddenly start smoking, drinking, and experimenting with drugs. Antisocial behavior may be observed and thoughts of suicide can manifest through art, selective music playlist or in journaling.

Teens can face some of the same consequences as adults for domestic violence crimes. This could include jail time and large fines. Restraining orders may also be involved in a domestic violence case. Fortunately, teens who work on healthy ways to control their anger can often avoid facing a domestic abuse

Abuse, according to Business Dictionary means, “Physical force unlawfully exercised toward property and/or persons, causing or intending to cause damage or injury. In some jurisdictions, overt or covert threats are considered also acts of violence.” The two states of Florida and Ohio have different opinions and laws on this subject. Teen dating violence laws across the country are different. However, Florida has no law for teen dating violence/abuse. In Ohio, 9.7% of high schools students report dating abuse according to the NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures). Florida’s statics, according to the NCSL say that approximately 72 percent of 8th and 9th graders report "dating." By the time these students get to high school, more than half of them say they see dating violence among their peers. These statistics may be shocking but there are ways to be nonviolent towards each other. One way we can practice being nonviolent towards each other is talking through the problems or even just take the anger out on the person who caused the real problem, not the person you care about. Being nonviolent is crucial to a relationship.

Adolescents can experience all forms of dating violence physical, emotional, sexual, stalking, coercion and electronic dating violence. Teen dating violence (TDV) is the sexual, physical, or psychological/emotional violence and stalking that occurs in person or electronically between partners in a current or former dating relationship (CDC, 2014). Mumford and Giordano (2008) proposes TDV can range from physical to emotional abuse between teens who are dating/romantic relationships. Arriga and Foshee (2004) reported psychological/emotional abuse having a high commonness of 76% among teens who are dating.

Domestic violence is defined by the World Health Organization, or WHO, as “any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm. Such behavior includes acts of physical aggression, psychological abuse, forced intercourse and other forms of sexual coercion, and various controlling behaviors.” (Hegarty, K.) But what is it called when teenagers, and young adults are being abused? Dating abuse is just as real as any other problem in the United States, it just involves young people, instead of married couples. Mostly effected by this are women in college, who feel as if they have to face many obstacles to seek help, but just like any problems there are ways to raise awareness on dating abuse.