This project is supported by subgrantee NO X18-8-036

awarded by the state administering office for the Domestic

Violence Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions
and recommendations expressed in the publications,
program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the state or CJCC.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention

Erica Powers, Youth Development Coordinator
Sharon B. Barber, Director of Operations & Program Services
SafeHomes of Augusta
Teen Dating Violence
If it doesnt feel right, it
probably isnt.
SafeHomes of Augusta
Domestic Violence Center
What is dating violence?
Controlling,abusive, or aggressive
behavior that occurs in a relationship.
Violence can manifest verbally,
emotionally, physically, or a
combination of some or all.
 5 Types of Abuse:
Physical
Emotional
Social/Isolation/Digital
Sexual
Economic
Physical Abuse Hitting Biting
Slapping Choking
Pushing Throwing things
Grabbing Using a weapon
Kicking
Hair pulling
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
Ignoring your feelings/opinions
Isolating you from your friends/family
Purposely scaring you
Making threats to you, themselves, your
friends/family
Commonly present with physical
abuse
Verbal Abuse
Name calling
Putting you down
Yelling/shouting
Verbal threats to you,
friends, family
Not telling you things
Spreading rumors about you
 Controlling Behavior
Keeping you from your friends
Constant phone calls
Texts checking up on you
Telling you how to dress/how to act
Putting you down
Having to be with you all the time
Abusive/Aggressive Behavior
Use coercive/manipulative behaviors
Use their size/physical strength to gain
control/intimidate you
Throw/break things
Scare you with their actions/behaviors
Unwanted kissing/touching
 Phase 3: Phase 1:
Tensions
Honeymoon
Build

Conflict, arguing,
stress, verbal abuse,
Remorseful, isolation, etc.
apologetic,
makes promises,
Phase 2:
loving, tries to
justify Abuse Occurs
behavior

Yelling, punching, shoving,

grabbing, breaking things,
shoving, etc.
Normalized Violence
Name-calling
Bullying/cyberbullying
Social media
History of witnessing
violence
The need to fit-in
Enabling behaviors
- victim takes up for the
abuser
- victim minimizes abusers
actions
 Digital Abuse & Stalking
The use of social media and cell phones help to NORMALIZE violence.
- Most teens have a cell phone and some kind of social media, and its all at their
fingertips.
- Texts, social media, and calls are being used to control and intimidate teens in
dating relationships.
- There are easier ways to hide things from parents/guardians.
- Ghost Apps, Instant Messaging Apps, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Cyberbullying is on the rise because it is easily overlooked by parents/guardians.
- Leaking nude photos, spreading rumors, making threats
Stalking
- Abusers use technology to stalk/follow their partners,
- Degrading messages, public embarrassment, location services
Victims of digital abuse and harassment are 2x as likely to be physically
abused, 2.5x as likely to be psychologically abused, and 5x as likely to be
sexually coerced. Urban Institute, Teen Dating Abuse and Harassment
in the Digital World, 2016.
Local Statistics
SafeHomes provided awareness presentations to over
2,000 teens and adolescents, ages 13-24 in the 2016-
2017 school year.
104 adolescents, ages 13-24, received services from
SafeHomes in the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
Georgia is ranked #3 in nation for teen dating
violence
GA Dept. of Health:
Teens experiencing dating violence may often think behaviors
like teasing and name calling are a normal part of a
relationship; however, these behaviors can become abusive
and develop into more serious forms of violence. Victims of
teen dating violence are more likely to experience symptoms
of depression and anxiety and are at a higher risk for future
victimization during college. They may also engage in
unhealthy behaviors such as using tobacco, drugs, and
alcohol. Speaking up to Prevent Teen Dating Violence, 2015.
What are the odds this could happen
to me? A friend?
One in ten high school students have been
involved in dating violence.
One in three adolescents in the U.S. are victims
of any form of abuse from a dating partner.
Violent behavior often begins between 6th and
12th grade.
Dating violence can have long-lasting effects on
teens: alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity,
suicidal thoughts, and violent behavior.
But that only happens to
Datingviolence can occur in any
relationship.
Personsof any class, culture, religion,
gender can be VICTIMS or PERPETRATORS.
It does not discriminate.
What if this happens to
my friend?
Show them that you are
concerned
Let them know what you have
noticed
Let them know its not their fault
Believe them without judgement
or blame
Help them get the help they need
Intervene- to an extent
People abuse because
Family history
Learned behavior
Belief systems
Violent tendencies
Need for control
Why dont they just break up?
Fear- wont find Peer Pressure
anyone else Cultural/ Religious
Believing Abuse is Reasons
Normal Pregnancy/Parenting
Embarrassment Distrust of Adults
Low Self- Esteem Reliance on Abuser
Love
Social pressure
Are there warning signs?
Jealously Scaring you
Possessiveness Pressuring you
Denying a break up Erratic
mood swings
Controlling decisions Extreme insecurity
Not listening to Normalizing/
opinions minimizing violence
Putting you down
What should I look for in a partner?
Someone who
Treats you with respect.
Doesnt make fun of things you
like or want to do.
Doesnt get angry if you spend
time with your friends or
family.
Listens to your ideas and
compromise sometimes.
Isnt excessively negative.
Isnt afraid to share their
thoughts and feelings.
Is comfortable around your
friends and family.
Is proud of your
accomplishments and
successes.
Respects your boundaries.
Doesnt require you to check
in or need to know where you
are all the time.
Is caring and honest.
How can we end dating violence?
We can break the cycle by:
Becoming educated
Promoting awareness
Empowering others
Creating dating violence awareness clubs in
school
Intervening when concerned
Talking to a parent or adult
Participating in SafeDates
- 8 week evidence-based curriculum
Lets test what we
learned
Healthy or unhealthy
Healthy

Your partner tells you how

special you are and how
much they care about you.
Unhealthy

After an argument,
your partner blocks the
doorway and takes
your keys to prevent
you from leaving.
Unhealthy
If you have a disagreement,
your partner uses the silent
treatment and wont talk to
you for days.
Unhealthy
Yourpartner controls your
Facebook and other social
media accounts.
Healthy
Your partner appreciates your
passions and encourages you to
do the things you love.
How can you get help? Help a
friend?
Visit safehomesdv.org or call 706-736-2499
Become a volunteer
Senior project opportunities, internships
Textthe national dating abuse helpline at
77054
Visit
loveisrespect.org and
breakthecycle.org to know more
And remember

Ifit doesnt feel right, it

probably isnt.