How To Stop Teen Dating Violence - Signs, Statistics and Prevention

© Patty Inglish, MS; November 18, 2010. all rights reserved.

Alessandra Espino (who has permission to quote any of the following text) has asked a series of questions about Teen Dating Violence, a major health risk in the USA, part of the larger risk of violence overall. This is a presentation of answers I've provided from 20+ experience in occupations and experiences of:

• Psychology Internships,
• Work in psychology private practice and Workers Comp Rehabilitation,
• Counseling and instructing diverse populations in Adult Education, Business Simulation, After School Programs, Summer Work Experience Training,
• Workshops in psychaitric advances,
• Martial arts Instruction provided against bullying,
• Social experiences.

A Comments box is provided after each question and answer for your additions. Spam and profanity will be removed,

They can be. They need to cut out 100% contact with the person and be prepared to report to the police and follow through with legal charges, if they are harrassed and stalked. Every time. They must become known for not accepting abuse and disrespect. They must also practice wisdom in not going to dangerous places and not traveling alone at night, etc.

Sometimes. Violence can also stem from physical problems, like brain, adrenal, or pituitary tumors, hormone imbalances, brain chemical malfunctions, and many other physical conditions. However, violence is largely cyclical and generational among both targets and perpetrators of violence. Violence often infests future generations and in fact, some perpetrators feel initially that it is unfair of them to have been abised without being able to pass abuse on to others.

I am anxious to read any book regarding the Natalee Holloway abuse and killing, to see what authors and analysts determine in that particular case.

No way to tell for sure, but call your local Police Deptarment for local figures. However, the more poplated an area becomes, the more violence of all kinds is likely to happen.

This is a generalization from the old rats-in-a-box experiment in the mid-20th Century.  One twoo many rats in an enclosure, and some begin fights, some self-abuse, some groom themselves in avoidance, and some go to sleep and escape.

Yes - dozens. Many teen girls leave that sort of relationship and think they are healed, but they are not. Physical trauma, when related to the violence, can heal - though some are scarred for life, but psychological trauma can go on forever. Nightmares and mistrust of others can go on for 30-40 years or more. One woman I know finally divorced her dating/marriage abuser when she was in her early 80s (after 60 years). This is a large problem.

The artifacts of this continued psychological trauma often present themselves in the girls that do not receive counseling and support as: being evasive, manipulative, controlling, and lying (all avoidance techniques); Post Traumatic Distress Disorder; attraction to abusers and.or men or other partners that suffer a range of mental illnesses that can include alcoholism and drug addiction; and others. Some of these individuals suffer such ongoing long-term trauma that they are unable to finish high school or college or to secure and retain employment.

Some targets of dating violence and abuse feel that they are special/different because they were abused and survived. They begin to put down others as inferior and some, even to perpetrate violence, on others which usually begins on the verbal level and escalates. They are not pleasant to be around.

Some commit suicide. Some die after receiving a "date-rape" drug and ensuing physical trauma. Some find professional help on their own. Some say they will never heal completely, even with medical, psychological, and support group interventions, prayer, and whatever else is available.

Prevention is the best way of handing dating violence and education/awareness can be a first-step part of that at home and in school. However, babies must be taken care of now to stop the chain of future abuse, or it will continue. Newborns today have the best chance of becoming healthy adults in the future and shutting down violence and abuse. Initial bonding, proper care and treament as a human being with rights, and parental education can facilitate this effort, but we cannot mandate all of that with legislation.