Accounts of aggression and violence among young people abound in academic journals, novels, school curricula, web-based media, and print and televised news reports. The complex representations of youth as both victims and perpetrators of abuse have birthed a complementary lexicon of terminologies that describe the myriad ways in which hostilities manifest among this population. Two such terms are dating and intimate partner violence, of which girls and women between the ages of 16 and 24 are the most vulnerable, experiencing the highest per capita rates of non-fatal intimate partner violence.[1]
During the period of adolescence, young people are involved in the development of an identity, separation and independence from family, and fitting into a peer group. As such, they can be particularly vulnerable to a partner who dictates lifestyle choices and/or controls access to their communities. The isolation and fear that comprises many dating violence situations can steer a victim towards internalizing messages about whom they should aspire to be and how they should act, and can lead to victims’ deemphasizing their individual judgment, values and beliefs and prioritizing the negativity constructed as truth by their abusers.
Thus, dating violence among teens is particularly destructive and its effects long-lasting, as victims are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, including substance abuse, unhealthy weight control, sexual risk behavior, pregnancy, and suicidal behavior.[2] These risk factors are exacerbated by the realities that accompany many attempts teens may make to get help. They may not have money, access to transportation, or safe places to go, and/or have concerns about a lack of confidentiality if they do report the abuse. In some states, teens may apply for restraining or protective orders and get domestic violence services without the help of a parent or guardian, but in some they may not.[3] In those states where they cannot get orders of protection, teens then have to weigh the potential abuse from a parent/guardian from whom they have kept their relationship a secret against the actual abuse from their partner – a seemingly no-win situation. As such, of the one in three teens who will experience abuse in a dating relationship, two-thirds will never report it to anyone.[4]
[1] U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Intimate Partner Violence and Age of Victim, 1993-1999.” October 2001.
[2] Jay G. Silverman, Ph.D. et al., “Dating Violence against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Use, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy and Suicidality.” Journal of the American Medical Association. October 2001. Timothy A Roberts, MD, LCDR and Jonathan Klein, MD, MPH, “Intimate Partner Abuse and High Risk Behavior in Adolescents.” Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. April 2003.
[3] http://www.breakthecycle.org/resources-state-law-report-cards-2009.html – State Law Report Cards
Kimmy
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
January 31st, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Comment regarding CYBER-BULLYING. I have viewed all 3 of the films in the ADINA’s DECK series-they are fantastic. A great educational tool for teachers/students as well as parents. Not only are these films educational, they’re well written and keep the audience captivated with the “who-done-it?” question. A sort of “Nancy Drew” type series, I believe anyone wanting to help educate youth on today’s “cyber-world” issues, will find this series to be quite helpful.
Kim Trussell
Parent
Child Advocate
Thank you very much for that wonderful article
Really Good Work…. You Helping People A lot
hey man come on this is good stuff
I have been visiting your website lately because I am fascinated in reading the quality articles that you post. Keep up the good work!
Completely understand what your stance in this matter. Although I would disagree on some of the finer details, I think you did an awesome job explaining it. Sure beats having to research it on my own. Thanks
Thank you for your mighty fine work. You are our beacon of light in this long dark tunnel of chaos.
Some very valid points have been made here. I have done a fair amount of research on this topic, and its seems most readers agree with you.
Hey can I quote some of the insight found in this entry if I provide a link back to your site?
sure – and please send me a link to anything you write about this topic
.
Great article . Will definitely apply it to my website
I’ve recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I love this site.. I am so bookmarking it! Thank you and keep up the awesome work!
Great post! I’ve really loved a lot of your posts. Thanks
x
this was a really quality post. In theory I’d like to write like this also – taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get anything done… Regards…
Thank you for such a fantastic blog. Where else could anyone get that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I have a presentation that I am presently working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
Well, I have been reading your blog posts daily and the reason I come on your blog frequently is its compelling content… Regards…
This is my second visit to your blog. We are starting a brand new initiative in the same niche as this blog. Your blog provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done a marvellous job.
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! keep up the good work.
Thank you very much for that great article
Excellent post. Just found it on Bing. Thanks for the useful information. Keep up the good work
Congratulations for the brilliant blog posting! I found your post very interesting, I think you are a brilliant writer. I added your blog to my bookmarks and will return in the future. I want to encourage you to continue that marvelous work, have a great day!
I like this blog and the writing style you use throughout your post. You truly have a gift and a way with words. I ask you keep creating such powerful content on a everyday basis, as i positively look forward to checking it.
this is one of the coolest sites i’ve had the good fortune to come across. You show yourself to really know what youre speaking about. Im going to come back daily just to see what you write. Please keep up the good work.
Nice information, many thanks to the author. It is incomprehensible to me now, but in general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Thanks again and good luck!
Dazzling article . Will definitely copy it to my blog.Thanks.
I came across this blog totally by accident when I was seeking for something else totally different. I hear the best things in life are accidents though and this site is no exception. Please keep up the outstanding work as I plan to look for your site everyday.