You Could Know Someone Who Is A Victim Of Teen Dating Violence

JACKSON, Miss. – One out of three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. According to Heather Wagner, Director of the Domestic Violence Division for the Attorney Generals Office, some teenagers are reluctant to talk to adults when they get themselves into violent situations.

“They get themselves into bad situations where they feel embarrassed or ashamed to tell anyone about it. So it begins to be a cascade. A lot of times girls are pressured into dating before they know they are ready, but all their friends are doing, so it must be the cool thing to do. Pressure to have sex, not just from boys but also from other girls. Press to fit in, to be liked,” said Wagner.

She says often teenagers will misinterpret a lot of attention they receive from a dating partner as something positive. Receiving many texts or phone calls from a dating partner wanting to know where you are, where you are going, or who you are with could be the beginning of potentially dangerous possessiveness.

“This is or children and this is out future, statistics show that children who engage in this type of behavior don’t just stop when they become 18-years-old. These are the people that are going to be more likely to become abusers or victims as adults.”

If you are a victim of a violent dating situation or know someone who is, seek help.

For more information visit www.agjimhood.com

You Could Know Someone Who is a Victim of Teen Dating Violence