Love Doesn’t Hurt Teens & Relationship Abuse EDGC 682 Robin Jones 11.14.2012

purpose of this presentation There have been many initiatives/organizations formed in recent years that share a goal; to promote awareness of and prevent teen relationship abuse. The aim of my presentation is two-fold – to present information in such a way that counselors/teachers could educate clients & students and also to provide a wealth of resources for counselors and teachers to use in educating themselves on signs/symptoms/and what to do for those experiencing the abuse.

A Story of teen love… and abuse http://www.dontletyourself.org/resources/vi deos/teen-dating-violence.html

Would you recognize the signs of relationship abuse? Does your partner… Check your phone or email without your permission? Constantly put you down? Seem extremely jealous or insecure? Have an explosive temper? Isolate you from family or friends? Make false accusations against you? Experience dramatic mood swings? Physically hurt you in any way? Seem really possessive of you? Tell you what to do? Make all of the decisions in your relationship?

Power & control http://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/power-and- control-wheel Teensagainstabuse.org

What is Relationship abuse? Verbal Abuse: Any verbal attempt to lower partner's self worth Destruction of Personal Property: Any attempt to destroy or alter partner’s personal belongings   Intimidation: Any attempt to use looks, actions, tone, or expressions to scare partner Restriction of Freedom: Any attempt to limit partner's free will Abuse of Authority: Any attempt to use authority to control partner Sexual Abuse: Any unwanted sexual advance to partner - including rape, coercion or restricting access to birth control Physical Abuse: Any attempt to cause bodily harm to your partner – such as hitting, shoving, biting, strangling, kicking or using a weapon Emotional Abuse: Any attempt to manipulate partner's thoughts or feelings – such as threats, insults, constant monitoring, humiliation, intimidation, isolation or stalking www.teensagainstabuse.org

What’s the big deal? Dating abuse statistics Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year. One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence. One in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend. Loveisrespect.org

They’re just kids, Right? Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence -- almost triple the national average. Violent behavior typically begins between the ages of 12 and 18. About 72% of eighth and ninth graders are already “dating". Loveisrespect.org

Effects that last a lifetime Violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications by putting the victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence. Being physically or sexually abused makes teen girls six times more likely to become pregnant and twice as likely to get a STI. Half of youth who have been victims of both dating violence and rape attempt suicide, compared to 12.5% of non-abused girls and 5.4% of non-abused boys. Loveisrespect.org

I’m a teacher/counselor and I need more information! I found an amazing free training tool online! http://www.vetoviolence.org/datingmatters/#

So many wonderful resources http://www.teensagainstabuse.org http://www.loveisrespect.org http://www.breakthecycle.org/dating- violence-101 http://www.vetoviolence.org/datingmatters /# http://www.dontletyourself.org/