Teen Dating Violence

Teen dating violence is a type of intimate partner abuse that effects 1 in 3 adolescence. The CDC states "Teen dating violence profoundly impacts lifelong health, opportunity, and wellbeing. Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. ​" 

Fast Facts

Data from CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey indicate that:

• Nearly 1 in 11 female and approximately 1 in 14 male high school students report having experienced physical dating violence in the last year.
• About 1 in 8 female and 1 in 26 male high school students report having experienced sexual dating violence in the last year.
• 26% of women and 15% of men who were victims of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime first experienced these or other forms of violence by that partner before age 18.
• Only 33% of teens in an abusive relationship ever told anyone about the abuse.
• 81% of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue.
• Though 82% of parents feel confident that they could recognize the signs if their child were experiencing dating abuse, most parents (58%) could not correctly identify all the warning signs of abuse.
• Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year.
• 1 in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Only 33% of teens who were in an abusive relationship ever told anyone about the abuse.
• 81% of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don't know it’s an issue.