February 2012 - Absentee Shawnee Tribe Of Oklahoma

February is Teen Dating Violence
Awareness Month
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
rated of other types of youth
violence.
One in 10 high school students
have been purposefully hit,
slapped, or physically hurt by a
boyfriend or girlfriend.
One quarter of high school
girls have been victims of
physical or sexual abuse.
Dating violence is a type of intimate partner violence. It occurs between two people in a close relationship.
The nature of dating violence can be physical, emotional, or sexual.
Physical—This occurs when a partner is pinched, hit, shoved, or kicked.
Emotional—This means threatening a partner or harming his or her sense of self-worth. Examples
include name calling, shaming, bullying, embarrassing on purpose, or keeping him/her away from
friends and family.
Sexual—This is forcing a partner to engage in a sex act when he or she does not or cannot consent.
Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. Dating violence often starts with teasing and
name calling. These behaviors are often thought to be a “normal” part of a relationship. But these behaviors
can lead to more serious violence like physical assault and rape.( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey.)
If you or someone you know has questions about Teen Dating Violence you may contact the Family
Violence Prevention Coordinator at 405-275-4030 ext. 195 or 405-432-9657.
Happy Valentine’s Day
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