SIGNS OF DATING ABUSE
Everyone deserves a healthy relationship safe from violence and fear. Protect your teens from an abusive situation by learning these warning signs.
Your teen may be experiencing patterns of an unhealthy relationship if:
Your Teen:
- Apologizes and/or makes excuses for his/her partner's behavior.
- Loses interest in activities that he/she used to enjoy.
- Stops seeing friends and family members and becomes more and more isolated.
- Casually mentions the partner's violent behavior, but laughs it off as a joke.
- Often has unexplained injuries or the explanations often don't make sense.
The Partner:
- Calls your teen names and puts him/her down in front of others.
- Acts extremely jealous of others who pay attention to your teen.
- Thinks or tells your teen that you, the parent(s), don't like them.
- Controls your teen's behavior, checking up constantly, calling or texting, and demanding to know who he/she has been with.
You:
- See the partner violently lose their temper, striking or breaking objects.
Break the silence, be a part of the solution. Start the conversation now:
Download this (free) handbook to learn how:
A Parent's Guide to Teen Dating Violence:
10 Questions to Start the Conversation
For immediate assistance or to talk to a trained advocate:
Call the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
24 hours a day at 1-866-331-9474 [1-866-331-8453 TTY] or
Start a live chat at loveisrespect.org (between 4 p.m. - 2 a.m. CST)
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