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FAST FACTS
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Studies indicate that by the• • • • • time they leave high school, 1 in 10 teenagers will experience at least one form of abuse in a dating relationship. For college students it increases to 1 in 5. Teen dating violence most often takes place in the home of one of the partners. 95% of reported incidents involved a male abuser and a female victim. 40% of teenage girls aged 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. A survey of adolescent and college students revealed that date rape accounted for 67% of sexual assaults. One high school study revealed that 76% of boys and 56% of girls believe that forced sex is OK under some circumstances, and 65% of boys and 47% of girls say it is OK for a boy to rape a girl if they have been dating for over 6 months. Sources: National Crime Victim's Survey, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice. Dating violence is motivated by a need to dominate. It is the use of violent acts and/or abusive behaviors--emotional, physical or sexual--by one person to gain power and control over another person in a dating relationship. •
Emotional Abuse includes verbal insults, threats, name calling, intimidating expressions or gestures, extreme jealousy, and possessiveness.• • Physical Abuse includes pushing, slapping, hitting, punching, kicking, biting, burning, pulling hair, restraining, striking with objects, assaulting with weapons. Sexual Abuse includes unwanted touching, demanding or forcing sexual acts, sexual relations without consent. Drugs and/or alcohol abuse, jealousy, or suggesting that the violent incident was "asked for" by the victim are all reasons abusers often give to try to justify their behavior. Remember, there is NEVER an acceptable excuse for abusive behavior. WARNING SIGNS There is nothing romantic about being involved in an abusive relationship. Dating violence can lead to depression, isolation from family and friends and even death. Recognize if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship. The warning signs of a potentially abusive person include: •
Extreme jealousy.
Demonstrates possessive and/or jealous reactions to things you say or do.• • • • • • • • • Isolation. Attempts to keep you away from and/or tries to destroy your relationships with family and friends. Loses temper quickly and is unable to control anger. Pressures you to have sex. Self-destructive behavior. Abuses alcohol and/or drugs, threatens suicide or self-harm. Verbally abusive. Name calling, humiliating remarks, put-downs, swearing. Use of violence. Destroys property, uses force or intimidation to "win" arguments and "be in control", has a history of bad relationships. Denies responsibility. Blames others for violent acts and abusive behaviors. Lacks sensitivity. Does not appreciate other people's feelings and concerns. Insecurity and low self-esteem. Harassment. Follows you around, makes uninvited visits and calls, constantly checks up on you. Do not accept abusive behavior from anyone! If you or someone you know is involved in an abusive relationship, CASA, Inc. can help. Call CASA's 24 hour hotline at 301-739-8975 (301-739-1012 TTY). return to top |