Recognizing Dating Violence

Teen dating violence [324 KB] is defined as the physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional violence within a dating relationship.

 

Technology and Teen Dating Violence

Because teens are well connected through today's technology, cell phones and the Internet have become tools of dating violence through which emotional abuse and sexual violence can occur. More than 80% of adolescents own at least one form of new media technology (e.g., computer, cell phone)¹ and they are using this technology with increasing frequency to text, IM, e-mail, blog, and access social networking websites.

Using technology to threaten, harass, or bully a peer is called electronic aggression, and a significant majority of parents are completely unaware that technology such as this poses a risk for teens.

 

Highlights from the research indicate that²:

• 9% to 35% of young people say they have been the victim of electronic aggression.
  
• A 50% increase in electronic aggression occurred between the years 2000 and 2005.
• Electronic aggression victims are significantly more likely to use drugs and alcohol, recieve school detentions or suspension, skip school, experience in-person aggression, have emotional distress, and have relationship problems with their parents.
• Victimization occurs through all forms of technology: 25% in a chat room, 23% on a website, 67% with instant messaging, 25% through an email, 16% with a text message.

Consequences of electronic aggression:

• Electronic messages—good and bad—retain a sense of "permanence." They can be saved and forwarded, and uploaded images cannot be fully deleted.
  
• Teens may not realize the farther reaching consequences of posting information or images online.

Recognizing Risk Factors

Dating violence is not about love—it is about power and control. Dating violence involves a pattern of behaviors that one partner uses to try to control the other. These behaviors may include physical and sexual violence and emotional abuse.

Violence is a choice

Perpetrators of violence may feel insecure or uncertain about themselves or their lives, so they may use power and control in their relationships to make themselves feel better. But no matter what excuses perpetrators make to themselves or their dating partners for their behaviors, violence is still their choice.

The following factors may contribute to someone becoming a perpetrator of dating violence:

• Believing that it is okay to use threats or violence to get their way or to express frustration or anger
  
• Problems managing one's anger or frustration
• Hanging out with violent peers
• Having low self-esteem and depression
• Not having parental supervision and support
• Witnessing violence at home or in the community