press releases

Groundbreaking Research Provides Clear Evidence That Technology Is Taking Teen Dating Abuse To Disturbing New Levels, Yet Abuse Remains Hidden From Parents

New National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
To Provide Urgent Support For Teens

Washington, DC - (February 8, 2007) - A new survey on teens and dating abuse released today reveals that an alarming number of teens in dating relationships are being controlled, threatened and humiliated through cell phones and the Internet with unimaginable frequency. The research also reveals disturbing data that a significant majority of parents are completely unaware of this type of dating abuse and the dangers facing their teens. In response to the high levels of teen dating abuse and the severe knowledge gap between parents and their teens, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is partnering with Liz Claiborne, Inc to launch , today, loveisrespect.org, The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (NTDAH).

The survey, conducted by Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) for Liz Claiborne Inc. provides startling data about parents and teens ranging from 13-18 in age.

Among the many findings:

Teens report dating abuse via technology is a serious problem

  • 71% of teens regard boyfriends/girlfriends spreading rumors about them on cellphones and social networking sites as a serious problem.
  • 68% of teens say boyfriends/girlfriends sharing private or embarrassing pictures/videos on cell phones and computers is a serious problem.
Cell phone calls and texting at unimaginable frequency mean constant control
day and night
  • Nearly one in four teens in a relationship (24%) communicated with their partner via cellphone or texting HOURLY between midnight and 5:00am.
  • One in three teens (30%) say they are text messaged 10, 20, 30 times an hour by a partner inquiring where they are, what they're doing, or who they're with.
Parents do not know about dating teens' constant contact
  • 67% of parents, whose teens were checked up on 30 times per day on their cell phone, did not know this was happening.
  • 82% of parents, whose teens were emailed or texted 30 times per hour, did not know this was happening.
Cell phones and Internet have become weapons of teen dating abuse
  • One in four teens in a relationship (25%) say they have been called names, harassed, or put down by their partner through cellphones and texting.
  • One in five teens in a relationship (22%) have been asked to engage in sex by cellphone or the Internet when they do not want to.
Parents do not know about this abuse
  • 71% of parents, whose teens were afraid of not responding to a cell phone call, text or IM message or email for fear of what their partner might do, did not know this was happening.
  • 67% of parents, whose teens were asked to have sex or engage in sexual acts via cell phone, email, IM, or texting when they did not want to, did not know this was happening.
Parents believe technology makes dating abuse more prevalent and more hidden - yet few are doing anything about it
  • 57% of parents believe that computers and cell phones make abuse in teen dating relationships more likely to occur. And 53% of parents believe that computers and cell phones make abuse easier to conceal.
  • But roughly one in four parents of teens (28%) say they limit their teenager's use of a cell phone and online communications with a partner.
Parents also do not know that their teens are victims of physical and sexual abuse
  • 75% of parents, whose teens had been physically hurt or bruised by their partner, did not know this was happening.
  • 69% of parents, whose teens were pressured by their partner to perform oral sex, did not know this was happening.
  • 58% of parents, whose teens had been hit, slapped, pushed, punched, kicked or choked by their partner, did not know this was happening.
"When we set out to measure if the prevalence of technology has influenced the frequency and severity of teen dating abuse, we had no idea just how staggering the results would be." says Jane Randel, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Liz Claiborne, Inc. "The seriousness of this issue underscores the need for a national teen dating abuse helpline. "

NEW NATIONAL TEEN DATING ABUSE HELPLINE

loveisrespect.org, The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (NTDAH) is a 24-hour national web-based and telephone hotline created to help teens (ages 13-18) experiencing dating abuse and is the only helpline in the country serving all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Helpline is also staffed to help parents concerned about their teens.

"If teens are not turning to their parents for help, it is essential that they have a private outlet where they can discuss their fears with someone who will provide immediate assistance" says Sheryl Cates, chief executive officer of the National Domestic Violence Hotline. "This helpline and website were designed exclusively for teens so they can speak to a peer or an adult advocate anonymously and confidentially."

Teens and parents anywhere in the country can call toll free, 866-331-9474 or log on to the interactive Web site, loveisrespect.org, and receive immediate, confidential assistance. In addition to a toll-free phone line, loveisrepect.org will be the first interactive dating abuse website, staffed by trained advocates, where teens can write and immediately get assistance in a one-on-one private chat room.

Liz Claiborne Inc. initiated and funded loveisrespect.org with a multi year, million dollar grant as part of the Company's commitment to help end teen dating abuse in this country. The helpline and website will operated by the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

"My boyfriend terrorized me in a number of ways, but one of the most effective was through email. Email became one of his primary methods of control, especially when my parents refused to let us speak on the phone. He wanted to know where I was every second of every day" says Kendrick Sledge, a teen dating abuse survivor. "If there was a teen dating abuse helpline when I was being abused, I might not have stayed in the relationship as long as I did."

LOVE IS NOT ABUSE CURRICULUM

Another important initiative to fight and prevent teen dating abuse is a national high school curriculum called Love is Not Abuse, designed to help teens and teachers identify the signs of abuse, prevent abuse and know where to get help.

Four hundred schools nationwide will be teaching this curriculum during the week of February 5th to raise awareness of this issue and disseminate the information about loveisrespect.org, The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (NTDAH). By the end of February 2007, the curriculum will be taught in nearly 1,000 schools in 48 states.

This curriculum was created with the Education Development Center, Inc (EDC) and developed by Liz Claiborne Inc. to help high school students recognize, respond and seek help for their friends and peers who may be victims of abuse.