The numbers of teens who have experienced dating abuse is enormous. Here are some statistics:

1.       Each year approximately one in four adolescents reports verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

2.       Approximately one in five adolescents reports being a victim of emotional abuse.

3.       Approximately one in five high school girls has been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.

4.       Dating violence among their peers is reported by 54% of high school students.

5.       One in three teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been physically hurt by his or her partner through violent actions which included hitting, punching, kicking, slapping, and/or choking.

6.       Eighty percent of teens believe verbal abuse is a serious issue for their age group.

7.       Nearly 80% of girls who have been victims of physical abuse in their dating relationships continue to date the abuser.

8.      Nearly 20% of teen girls who have been in a relationship said that their boyfriend had threatened violence or self-harm in the event of a break-up.

9.       Nearly 70% of young women who have been raped knew their rapist; the perpetrator was or had been a boyfriend, friend, or casual acquaintance.

10.   The majority of teen dating abuse occurs in the home of one of the partners.

The statistics while startling do not really express the urgency of the problem as eloquently as the video below where four young women talk about their experiences. I urge you to watch the video and pass it along to every teenage girl you know….you never know who may be at risk!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxoDEns7wIg&feature=related.