If your child has ever had a relationship with someone you didn't like, you know how heartbreaking this can be. You risk the "Romeo and Juliet" syndrome by forbidding the relationship or friendship, but can you stand by and watch emotional, verbal or even physical abuse ensue? Tough questions and ones I've faced head-on as a parent. Teens today are at an increased risk of verbal and physical violence because of our changing culture. Information is critical to making those difficult parental decisions.
-Lisa Smith Henderson
I sat down with Laura Barton, Prevention and Outreach Director at Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV.org) to find out more about the Teen Dating Violence Summit in Atlanta on Saturday, February 25th.
Laura Barton-The summit is for teens, but adults are welcome and will have a chance to talk with parents and hear from teens about the dating world today. Our keynote speaker is Johanna Orozco, who's a survivor of teen dating violence and has been on Oprah, ABC's 20/20 and The View. We'll have teen workshops focused on healthy relationships, bystander intervention, texting responsibly and cyber-bullying. The event is free, but does require registration. (Click here for more info.)
Lisa-What do we know about teenagers who are abused in relationships?
Laura-We know that teen dating violence can happen to anyone and crosses race, gender, and socioeconomic lines. Both males and females are victims, but boys and girls are abusive in different ways:
- Girls are more likely to yell, threaten to hurt themselves, pinch, slap, scratch, or kick.
- Boys injure girls more severely and frequently.
- Boys who witness violence in their homes growing up are three times more likely to become abusive as adults.
Lisa- Physical abuse is easier to identify, but what about emotional abuse?
Laura-Some examples of emotional abuse include: isolation, name-calling, stalking, monitoring whereabouts, threats, constant accusations of cheating and extreme jealousy.
Lisa-What behavioral changes might appear if a boy or girl is being abused?
Laura- Look for:
- Mood swings and changes in personality.
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits.
- Constantly thinking or worrying about dating partner.
- Difficulty making decisions or relying on the decision of others.
- Sudden changes in appearance, unexplained injuries.
- Avoiding friends, changes in school performance or activities.
PADV.org can answer many of your questions. If you're not sure if the relationship is abusive, here's a checklist.
