TEEN DATING VIOLENCESamantha Benton

Education Coordinator

Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE

February is teen dating violence awareness month

1 in 3 teenagers experience some form of dating abuse

You may have heard teen dating violence called: Relationship Abuse/Violence Intimate Partner Violence Dating Abuse Domestic Abuse Domestic Violence

WHAT IS DATING VIOLENCE?

A pattern of abusive or controlling behavior(s) in a dating relationship.

Partners are not equal in the relationship It is about power and control Types of Abuse:

Emotional Peer pressure, isolation/exclusion

Verbal Threats/intimidation, blaming

Physical Sexual

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A RELATIONSHIP MIGHT BECOME ABUSIVE?

Warning Signs or Red Flags Checking your cell phone, email, or social media sites

without permission Putting you down Extreme jealousy or insecurity Explosive temper and/or mood swings Isolating you from family or friends Telling you what to do or who you can be friends with Making false accusations Physically hurting you in any way** Possessiveness Controlling your appearance Pressuring for sexual activity

WHAT IS LOVE?

Understanding Honest Open communication Safe Respectful Trusting and supportive Negotiation and

fairness Equal power Accountability

TRUE OR FALSE?

Abuse in relationships happen to both menand women.

TRUE

Abuse happens at a higher rate to women but it does happen to men.

CYCLE OF VIOLENCE

Tension Building

Explosion

Honeymoon

• Walking on egg shells• Partner may feel like they can’t do anything right• Can sense something might happen

• Episode of Violence

• Apologies• Promises for the future• Gift giving is common• Abuser might place blame on someone or something else

HOW CAN WE HELP?

24-Hour Support 603-883-3044 One-on-one support

In-person or over-the-phone Answer your questions Assist in filing restraining orders Provide support at court, at police

departments, or at the hospital Confidential and free services Connect you to other community resources

WHY DON’T YOU JUST BREAK UP? Love Hope Fear Believes the abuse is normal Shame and embarrassment Guilt Low self-esteem Social/peer pressure Distrust of adults or authority

Don’t know where to get help Reliance on the partner

TRUE OR FALSE?

Most teens who were in a violent relationship told someone about it.

FALSE

Only 33% of teens told someone that they were in a violent relationship.

RIHANNA AND CHRIS BROWN

“Even if it’s a mistake, it’s my mistake,” Rihanna reported to Rolling Stones magazine.

HOW TO HELP A FRIEND?

Helpful: Listen Believe them Be supportive and

non-judgmental Acknowledge you

are concerned Talk about safety Encourage victims

to get help Hold abusive

partners accountable

Not Helpful: Gossip about their

business Give them

ultimatums

CAN ABUSIVE PARTNERS CHANGE? Change is possible but

someone has to want to make changes

It is a long process It is not about their

anger It takes dedication

It takes professional help to change Programs found a low

success rate in changing partner’s behaviors

BRIDGES CONTACT INFORMATION

Nashua Office:

33 East Pearl Street

Nashua, NH 03061

603.889.0858

M-F 8:30-4:30 (Closed Wednesday 1:00-

3:00)

Milford Office:

16 Elm Street, Suite 2

Milford, NH 03055

603.672.9833

M-F 8:30-4:30(Closed Wednesday 12:00-

4:30)

24-Hour Support Line 603.883.3044

www.bridgesnh.org

A SAFE PLACE CONTACT INFORMATION

24-Hour Support Line1-800-854-3552

www.asafeplacenh.org

Offices located in Portsmouth, Rochester, & Salem

Come by the Bridges table during

lunch to talk and/or ask questions.

If you answer a trivia question you

can win a free prize!