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Kayla Morrow
Professor Bryd
WGST 3102
28 April 2016
Adolescent Dating Violence: Domestic Assault of the Young
Domestic abuse is a term that is widely used around the world. It is defined as the act of
inflicting physical, mental, emotional, or sexual harm that is unwanted onto other human being,
whether it be of the same sex or opposite sex. However, most people are unaware of a term
called adolescent dating violence. This type of violence, although is considered a type of
domestic violence, is used primarily to describe the violence inflicted upon young adults. In
ADV, there are many reasons for the abuse and effects from the abuse, but there are also quite a
few methods of action for prevention or how to get a person experiencing the abuse some help.
ADV is prevalent in teens that are experiencing unhealthy relationships or have high risk
factors based on their own family history or life experiences and is defined as a range of
abusive behaviors that preteens, adolescents and young adults experience in the context of a past
or present romantic or dating relationship. The behaviors include physical and sexual violence,
stalking, and psychological abuse, which includes control and coercion. Abuse may be
experienced in person or via technology (Bowen, Walker 5). Physical violence includes being
pinched, hit, shoved, slapped, punched, or kicked; sexual violence is forcing a partner to engage
in a sex act, such as intercourse, unwanted touching, or oral sex, when he/she does not/cannot
consent; stalking is harassing or threatening a victim until he/she feels fear for their life; and
lastly, psychological abuse is harming a victims self-esteem, which includes: name calling,
shaming, embarrassing the victim, or isolation (Fact Sheet). Aside from what many people

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may believe, ADV does not have to occur every single day for it to be considered abuse. This
type of abuse will start out slowly, then begin to escalate more frequently. There may even be
periods of non-violent experiences where the victim might begin to believe that the abuse will
stop, but it is almost guaranteed that the violence will come back, stronger than before. In the
initial episodes, the violence is hardly ever severe, but the more it occurs, the more severe the
violence gets (Davidson, Jenkins 57, 58). To understand ADV, one must understand the
difference between healthy relationships and unhealthy relationships.
Healthy adolescent relationships will include: mutual respect, trust, honesty, compromise,
good communication, anger control, good problem solving skills, understanding, self-confidence,
being a role model, and having a healthy sexual relationship. All healthy relationships will have
each of those characteristics. However, a healthy relationship can turn unhealthy, and once it
does, the victim needs to recognize the warning signs. An unhealthy relationship includes:
control, hostility, dishonesty, disrespect, dependence on their partner, intimidation, or
physical/sexual violence. One or more of these characteristics that occur continuously in a
adolescent relationship are indicators of an abusive relationship (Dating Violence Prevention).
The idea of risk factors are also important to understanding the nature of
victim/perpetrator violence in ADV. The risk factors for each person are different. For a victim,
the risk factors that make the chances of experiencing ADV higher are: previous experiences of
ADV or abuse as a child, living in poverty, being exposed to other types of violence
(neighborhood violence, gun violence, etc), consenting to sex or sexual activities at an early age,
having friends that are experiencing ADV, low self esteem, anxiety, depression, and many other
things. Some of those are the same risk factors for a perpetrator, but also include: anger
management problems and believing that violence is an acceptable means of behavior (Dating

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Violence Prevention).

According to loveisrespect.org, the perpetrators violent

behavior begins between the ages of 12-17 and the severity of ADV is greater when the abuse
was learned or experienced during adolescence. For example, the perpetrator watching their
parents abuse each other or being a victim of child abuse. As far as victims, one in three high
school students will be involved in an abusive relationship ("How to Help Teens Dealing with
Dating Violence) and according to the CDC, those who experience ADV in high school are
more likely to experience it again in college.
Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a
dating partner (Dating Abuse Statistics). There is no chance that all of those 1.5 million
students had those risk factors that caused their ADV. However, some studies show that a
teenager has the same chance of experiencing ADV without any of the previous risk factors as
someone who has all of them. Just because society says a person should or shouldnt be
experiencing a problem does not determine if it happens or does not happen. A perpetrator is
going to attempt ADV if he/she wants to or thinks it is acceptable, not because the victim had
many risk factors going for them.
The effects of ADV are much worse on the victim than they are on the perpetrator, which
is an important statement to realize. Whenever the media reports an incident of ADV, they are
too busy talking about how this has ruined the perpetrators chances of having a normal life. What
about the victim? That victim has lost confidence, feels shame/guilt, feels loneliness, faces the
possible chance of not being able to have a normal relationship again, depression, anxiety, a
potential STD or unwanted pregnancy, serious injuries leading to death, or even death due to
suicide (Consequences of Dating Violence). What did the perpetrator lose? They lost their
chance at a normal life, I agree, but they did it to themselves. They sent themselves to prison

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because of their actions, or caused themselves depression or unwanted medical conditions. They
had the choice to make and they chose the wrong one the victims of ADV did not have a
choice.
Sometimes it is extremely easy to tell if someone is a victim of ADV, such as bruises on
the skin or broken bones. Only one in 10 high school students have been purposefully hit,
slapped or physically hurt by a partner ("Dating Abuse Statistics). Think about that compared to
the one in three high school students that have experienced any type of abuse. That means that
sometimes the abuse hasnt gotten to the physical stage to be able to see obvious signs. There are
other signs that can, if looked upon closely, scream that someone is experiencing ADV. They
include: reserved/quiet demeanor, complaints of anxiety or sleep disturbances, mentions their
perpetrators tempers or how they attempt to avoid conflict with them, depression, suicide
attempts, fearfulness, edginess, etc. It is also possible to tell if someone is a perpetrator of ADV.
These signs include: jealousy of partner, intimidation of partner, embarrassing/discrediting
partner in pubic, and trying to convince others that their partner is not worthy (Davidson, Jenkins
69). If you or anyone you know is experiencing any of these indictors of abuse, it is important to
get help for yourself or person you know before it is too late.
It is important to pay attention to these indictors. Sometimes when abuse is occurring, the
victim may not want to report. The perpetrator typically has complete control of the victim,
making it hard for the victim to report. Sometimes he/she may be afraid to hurt their partners
feelings or could even be fearful of the abuse becoming worse if they report. Aside from
perpetrator/victim violence, the victim could just be embarrassed about the situation in general
and feel as if no one would believe his/her allegations. A lot of times, the victim does not really
understand what is happening to him/her they are not sure what they are facing is abuse.

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Sadly, our society does not do a good job of broadcasting what is or is not abuse. They definitely
do not make it easy for the victim to find help ("How to Help Teens Dealing with Dating
Violence).
Remember, if you or someone you know are or are thinking an ADV situation is
occurring, do not hesitate to find help. There are many organizations that are willing to help, its
just they are not broadcasted about frequently. One of the better projects to help with ADV is
called The Safe Dates Project. In this project, productions are performed by peers, ten 45
minute sessions are taught by health and physical education professionals, and other community
activities are provided to adolescents to provide information about dating violence and how to
keep themselves protected. According to a study, the Safe Dates Project reported less
acceptance of dating violence and traditional gender roles, a stronger belief in the need for help,
and more awareness of services available in the community ("Dating Violence Prevention).
ADV is one of the problems in our society that will more than likely never come to an
end there will always be perpetrators looking to take advantage of someone. However, the
CDC has came up with a four-step approach to dating violence in hopes to start preventing, or at
least reduce the percentage of attacks. Step one: define the issue of ADV; step two: identify
certain risk and/or protective factors; step three: develop prevention strategies around the world;
and step four: broadcast those prevention strategies ("Fact Sheet). Although the CDC has a long
way to go, it is a good start to decreasing the occurrence of ADV.
ADV is defined as abusive behaviors, including physical, emotional, sexual, or stalking,
that occurs in adolescents. ADV is experienced in unhealthy relationships and can have many
risk factors associated with it. Aside from risk factors, victims of ADV can suffer from multiple
physical or mental effects. It is important that we pay attention to the signs of ADV, from both

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the victim and the perpetrator. Remember, a lot of the time victims will not speak out on their
abuse until it is too late, so we as a society need to be paying attention to physical or even
emotional distress. There are many hotlines and prevention programs across the states that can
assist with someone experiencing ADV or just as informative measures. Dont be a bystander to
ADV and if you are a victim, please seek help before it is too late.

Works Cited
Bowen, Erica, and Kate Walker. The Psychology of Violence in Adolescent Romantic
Relationships. , 2015. Print.
Consequences of Dating Violence" Violence Prevention Works. Hazelden Foundation, 2016.
Web. 08 Apr. 2016.
"Dating Abuse Statistics." Wwwloveisrespect.org. National Domestic Violence Hotline & Break
the Cycle, 2013. Web. 08 Apr. 2016

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"Dating Violence Prevention." Dating Violence Prevention. Youth.gov. Web. 08 Apr. 2016.
"Fact Sheet." Understanding Teen Dating Violence. CDC. Web. 08 Apr. 2016.
"How to Help Teens Dealing with Dating Violence." Violence Prevention Works. Hazelden
Foundation, 2016. Web. 08 Apr. 2016.
Jenkins, Pamela, and Barbara P. Davidson. Stopping Domestic Violence: How a Community Can
Prevent Spousal Abuse. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2001. Print.