Teen Dating Violence: Recognizing, Educating, and Supporting Youth
Each February, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) raises awareness nationwide about dating abuse among youth. This annual month-long campaign focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts.
While teen relationships may look different from adult relationships, abuse can still occur—and it can have lasting emotional and physical impacts. In fact, 1 in 10 high school students faces dating violence. While teen relationships may look different from adult relationships, abuse can still occur and have lasting emotional and physical impacts.
Teen dating violence includes behaviors used to gain power and control over a partner. This may involve emotional or verbal abuse, physical harm, sexual coercion, or digital abuse—such as monitoring social media, demanding passwords, or excessive texting. Not all abuse is physical, and emotional and digital abuse are especially common among teens.
Teens may be more vulnerable because they are still learning about healthy relationships, boundaries, and communication. Unhealthy behaviors are sometimes mistaken for jealousy or caring, which can make them difficult to recognize. Warning signs may include changes in mood or behavior, withdrawal from friends, fear of upsetting a partner, or constant checking of a phone.
Someplace Safe offers youth-specific services designed to meet the unique needs of young people through age-appropriate, trauma-informed support. Trained advocates provide youth-specific services, with an emphasis on off-site service delivery, for teens and youth experiencing:
- Teen dating violence
- Family violence
- Sexual assault
- Sexual exploitation
- Bullying or harassment (including online)
- Cyberstalking
- Social media bullying
- Child sexual exploitation materials
- Other crimes affecting youth
This past year, Someplace Safe provided advocacy, intervention, and prevention services to 61 teens ages 13–19 who were primary victims of crimes including teen dating violence, sexual exploitation, child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child physical abuse or neglect, and related offenses. Of these teens, 58 experienced more than one form of victimization, often involving complex, overlapping, or high-risk circumstances. This underscores the need for accessible, inclusive, and trauma-informed youth advocacy. Nearly one-third of the teens had a cognitive, physical, or mental disability, highlighting how disproportionately vulnerable teens with disabilities are to crime and abuse.
Prevention starts with education. Teaching teens about healthy relationships, consent, and respect helps them recognize red flags and seek help early. Adults and communities play an important role by listening without judgment, taking concerns seriously, and sharing trusted resources.
Someplace Safe also provides presentations and educational programming for teens and youth, offered in schools, social clubs, faith communities, and other spaces where young people gather. Presentation and educational topics for teens and students in grades 7–12 include Healthy Relationships, Exploitation and Safety for Youth, Cyber Bullying and Online Crimes, Not a #Number, and others. To learn more, visit someplacesafe.info/training-and-education/.
There are also a variety of online resources for teens, parents, and supportive adults. During TDVAM, loveisrespect.org offers extensive information on relationships, boundaries, consent, and more. This year’s theme For TDVAM is: Real Love Respects. The theme focuses on what real love should look and feel like. In a world full of mixed messages, it centers around one truth: respect is non-negotiable. It empowers youth to recognize harmful patterns early and to expect more from relationships.
Teen dating violence is preventable. Through education, open conversations, and community support, we can help young people build healthy, respectful relationships. For help or questions about teen dating violence or youth services, please contact Someplace Safe.
