Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
What Every Parent Should Know
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a critical time to shine a light on a serious issue affecting young people across the United States. While romantic relationships can be a healthy part of adolescent development, for too many teens these relationships include patterns of abuse that can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and mental consequences
What is Teen Dating Violence?
Teen dating violence includes physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or digital abuse within a dating relationship. It can happen in person or online, and it isn’t always easy to spot. Abuse might look like hitting or pushing, but it can also include these unhealthy and dangerous behaviors:
- constant monitoring of texts or social media
- isolating a teen from friends or family
- pressuring into sex or other activities
- threats, insults, or humiliation
- controlling behavior through technology
How Common is it? And Why That Matters
The prevalence of teen dating violence is higher than many parents realize:
- About 1 in 3 U.S. adolescents experience physical, emotional, or verbal abuse in a dating relationship before adulthood.
- Nearly 10% of high school students report being physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year.
- Many teens never tell an adult: only about one-third of teens in abusive relationships ever report it to anyone.
Those numbers are not just statistics. They represent real young people whose well-being, school performance, and future relationships can be negatively affected if help doesn’t arrive early.
Long Term Impacts on Teens
Teen dating violence isn’t just a phase. Early exposure to unhealthy or abusive relationships increases the risk that a young person may:
- experience depression and anxiety
- engage in substance use
- remain in abusive relationships later in life
- struggle with self-esteem and trust
Adults who dismiss these behaviors as typical teenage drama may miss opportunities to intervene early.
Parents: You’re the First Line of Defense!
Research shows that many parents underestimate the risk of dating violence. In one survey, 81% of parents admitted that they didn’t know whether teen dating violence was an issue for teens, and more than half could not correctly identify all common warning signs.
As a parent, your awareness matters:
- Talk early and often about relationships — don’t wait until something goes wrong.
- Ask open-ended questions about your teen’s friendships and relationships.
- Watch for changes in mood, social withdrawal, or excuses that involve a partner.
- Notice controlling language like “they always need to know where I am.”
What Healthy Relationships Look Like
It’s equally important to teach what healthy relationships are, not just what they aren’t. Key traits include:
- Mutual respect and boundaries
- Honest, open communication
- Shared decision-making
- Support of each other’s individuality
Encourage teens to maintain connections with friends and family, and reinforce that a healthy partner doesn’t isolate them from people they care about.
When to Act: Watch Out for These Red Flags
Some warning signs that a teen might be in an abusive relationship include:
- Sudden change in behavior or school performance
- Withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed
- Excessive texting or social media checking linked to a partner
- Unexplained injuries or excuses for physical harm
- Partner’s attempts to control friendships or schedule
If you observe these behaviors, a gentle but direct conversation is essential, followed by appropriate support if abuse is confirmed.
Resources for Help and Support
If you suspect your child is experiencing dating violence, or they disclose abuse, it’s vital to connect them with support right away.
National Resources
- LoveIsRespect.org – Information and help specifically for teens and young adults.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233 or thehotline.org — confidential support and safety planning.
- Teen Dating Violence Resources – guides and links to services for teens and families.
Helping Teens Build Healthy Relationship Skills
Prevention is key. Programs like CDC’s Dating Matters® model equip parents, educators, and communities with tools to promote respectful, non-violent relationships, and they are free to use.
Teach teens to:
- set and respect personal boundaries
- communicate feelings without fear of judgment
- seek support when uncomfortable or unsafe
- recognize that abuse is never the teen’s fault
Closing Thoughts
As parents, one of the most important things you can do this Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is to stay informed, stay present, and stay open. These conversations may feel uncomfortable, but they could make the difference between a harmful pattern and a healthy future relationship. If you have questions or need support navigating these conversations, reach out to your local community resources or domestic violence advocates. You are not alone.
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, please call CFVC’s 24/7 crisis line at 770-479-1703. You are not alone. Help is here