For Teens
The Chat Line with A Woman’s Place (AWP) is available Monday - Friday, from 2:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. If you
are in need of immediate assistance, please call AWP’s 24-hour Hotline at 800.220.8116.
If you are interested in working as a volunteer on the Chat Line, please contact Christina Baer at 215.343.9241 x110 or cbaer@awomansplace.org.
What is Teen Dating Abuse and Violence?
Teen Dating Abuse and Violence is a pattern of behaviors used to gain power and control over a dating partner involving the use of emotional, verbal, sexual, and/or physical harm.
It is NOT:
- A bad mood
- An argument
- About intense love
- An anger management problem
- A result of drug and/or alcohol use
- Just hitting or pulling hair or pushing...it's name calling, put-downs, threats, isolation, excessive/unwanted texts and phone calls
- A one-time occurrence (dating abuse occurs repeatedly and worsens over time)
- A minor concern
What are my rights and responsibilites in a relationship?
I have the right:
- To express my own feelings respectfully, even if they are negative.
- To have my feelings repected by others.
- To refuse a date.
- To choose and keep my own friends, both male and female.
- To have my own opinions.
- To have time to myself.
- To say no.
- To wear what I want.
- To say no to being sexual, even if I have been before.
- To be treated as an equal.
- To be human and make mistakes.
I have the responsibility:
- To listen.
- To determine my limits and respect the limits of others.
- To communicate clearly and honestly.
- To not threated to harm myself or another.
- To be considerate, but not submissive or aggressive.
How can I get out safely?
- Get support - discuss concerns with a trusted friend, parent, family member, or teacher before ending the relationship.
- Do not confront the abuser alone
- Try not to engage in debates or discussions about why you are ending the relationship. It is not your responsibility to comfort or "be a friend" to your ex-partner.
- Safety first - if you think your partner's reaction may be dangerous to you, take steps to stay out of harm's way. This may mean ending the relationship over the phone, online, or in a public place.
- Keep in mind:
- You are the expert in your relationship - you know how your partner might react, what they may say, and what's best for you.
- You DO NOT deserve to be abused.
- You deserve to be happy, healthy, and safe in your relationships.
Highlights
Did You Know...?
- 1 in 3 teens, both boys and girls, experience some kind of abuse in their dating relationships and more than 2/3 will never report this to anyone.
- About 1 in 5 female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.
- 40 percent of teenage girls ages 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.
- Teen dating violence most often takes place is the home of one of the partners.
- 1 in 4 teens who are in a relationship say they've been called names, harassed, and put down by their partner via cell phones and texting.
Click on the link below to download a printable version of AWP's Dating Abuse & Violence brochure.