Teen Dating Violence
1 in 3 teens
regardless of gender identity, experience dating abuse each year
Dating Abuse is a pattern of violence, threats, and manipulative tactics used to coerce and control one’s dating partner. This pattern can take many forms, sometimes subtle.
Dating abuse includes but is not limited to verbal abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, control, and technological abuse.
Technological abuse is a newer form of abuse seen often with teens and young adults. Some examples of technological abuse include taking your phone and going through it (reading messages, call logs, etc.), controlling and monitoring your posts on social media, keeping tabs on your whereabouts by sending excessive texts and making multiple phone calls, and pressuring you to send nude photos or explicit text messages.
Talk to a trusted friend or adult about staying safe and getting help. The more isolated you are from your friends and family, the more control the abuser has over you. There are people in your family, community, and school who can help you.
Dating Safety Planning Considerations
Before a first date with a new partner …
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Know as much as you can about the person who asked you out before you say “yes!”
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If your friends express concern about you going out with this person, take their warnings seriously.
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If you have any concerns about going out with the person, don’t go.
On the first date …
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Stay with or near other people: go to a public place, go on a double-date, or hangout as a group.
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Avoid being in an isolated area – especially if you are alone with someone you are just getting to know.
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Have a safety plan: be aware of exits, have a friend on-call in case you need to leave, let someone know where you are going and who with.
If you need to end an unhealthy relationship …
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Do not break up with them alone: bring a friend, go to a public place – you can even break up with them over the phone/via text.
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Avoid meeting up with them (especially alone) after a break up.
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If you are alone at home, do not let your ex inside – no matter what they say.
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Take any and all threats of violence by a partner or former partner seriously!
You are not alone. Talk to an someone about what is happening. There are people in your family, community, and school who can help you.
DVCCC provides in-school & community youth presentations and programs to enhance Chester County’s youth knowledge on building healthy relationships. If you are interested in bringing a program to your school or youth group, you can find more information here
You can call our hotline at 888-711-6270 or 610-431-1430 or
TTY: 610-431-7262 any time to talk to someone who will listen to what you have to say.
To learn more about teen dating violence and explore this topic at home, utilize the Take A Stand online curriculum through NCADV - it's an interactive and in-depth learning experience for teens between 6th and 8th grade!
