Teens who are victims of dating violence may be reluctant to confide in adults. They are often more likely to turn to a
close friend for support. Even if a teen tries to conceal ongoing abuse from her peers, a close friend will often be the first
to notice changes in the teen’s behavior and appearance that are the hallmark signs of dating violence. But the friends of a
teen experiencing dating violence are still kids themselves. They may be unsure of how to help or what resources are
available. The links below provide resources for teens who suspect that a friend is involved in a violent dating
relationship or who want to address the problem of dating violence in the larger community.
LOVE IS RESPECT: Support for a Friend: This page from the website for the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
offers information for friends of victims of dating violence, including signs of dating violence and a list of do’s and don’ts
for helping and responding to a friend who confides that she is a victim of abuse.
TALK TO AN ABUSIVE FRIEND: This page from the website for the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline offers
guidance for teens for confronting friends whom they believe to be the abuser in a relationship marred by dating violence.
BREAK THE CYCLE: The mission of Break the Cycle is to empower youth to end domestic violence. Break the Cycle
sponsors a youth activism program and offers training to young volunteers who seek to raise awareness of dating violence
among fellow teens.
HOW CAN I HELP MY FRIEND?: This page from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers tips and
resources for friends of victims of dating violence as well as signs and symptoms that a friend is being abused.
PEER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: This page provides teens with information about joining the Love is Respect,
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline Peer Ambassador Program. Peer Ambassadors volunteer to serve as peer educators
and resources for other young people in their schools and local communities. The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
website provides links to an awareness toolkit that ambassadors and other teens can draw upon in their efforts to help
friends who are victims of dating violence and address the problem of dating violence among their peers.
close friend for support. Even if a teen tries to conceal ongoing abuse from her peers, a close friend will often be the first
to notice changes in the teen’s behavior and appearance that are the hallmark signs of dating violence. But the friends of a
teen experiencing dating violence are still kids themselves. They may be unsure of how to help or what resources are
available. The links below provide resources for teens who suspect that a friend is involved in a violent dating
relationship or who want to address the problem of dating violence in the larger community.
LOVE IS RESPECT: Support for a Friend: This page from the website for the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
offers information for friends of victims of dating violence, including signs of dating violence and a list of do’s and don’ts
for helping and responding to a friend who confides that she is a victim of abuse.
TALK TO AN ABUSIVE FRIEND: This page from the website for the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline offers
guidance for teens for confronting friends whom they believe to be the abuser in a relationship marred by dating violence.
BREAK THE CYCLE: The mission of Break the Cycle is to empower youth to end domestic violence. Break the Cycle
sponsors a youth activism program and offers training to young volunteers who seek to raise awareness of dating violence
among fellow teens.
HOW CAN I HELP MY FRIEND?: This page from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers tips and
resources for friends of victims of dating violence as well as signs and symptoms that a friend is being abused.
PEER AMBASSADOR PROGRAM: This page provides teens with information about joining the Love is Respect,
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline Peer Ambassador Program. Peer Ambassadors volunteer to serve as peer educators
and resources for other young people in their schools and local communities. The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
website provides links to an awareness toolkit that ambassadors and other teens can draw upon in their efforts to help
friends who are victims of dating violence and address the problem of dating violence among their peers.
| Copyright 2017, Barbara Bentley. All rights reserved. No contents can be used without permission from the author. |
| Recommended in Huffington Post article as one of five books to read to spot psychopaths in your life |
| Information for Teens Who Have Friends in a Violent Dating Relationship |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Barbara Bentley Motivational Author and Speaker Featured on DATELINE NBC |
| Recipient of Foundation for Improvement of Justice Award |
| Survivor of a Psychopath |