Before parents know it, their children are adolescents and demonstrating an interest in romantic relationships with
their peers. Nearly three-quarters of students in the ninth-grade report that they are engaging, or have engaged, in
dating behavior. Although dating is a natural and healthy part of growing up, the prevalence of violence in teen dating
relationships is alarming. Because of the long-term effects of dating violence on victims, parents should be aware of
the potential for abuse in teen relationships and the signs of an abusive relationship. One of the risk factors for being
both a victim and a perpetrator of teen violence is inadequate parental supervision, involvement, and support.
However, even attentive parents can miss the signs of dating violence, and victims are often reluctant to divulge the
details of their intimate relationships with their families. Parents can address the problem head on by talking to their
children about dating violence before it happens and getting involved with school and community efforts to reduce the
incidence of abusive intimate relationships among teens.
CHOOSE RESPECT: Choose Respect is an initiative co-sponsored by the Division of Violence Prevention, an
office of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), which operates under the auspices of the
CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The aim of Choose Respect is the prevention of dating
violence through education and the fostering of healthy intra-family relationships. The Choose Respect website
provides tips and resources for parents who wish to talk to their adolescent children about dating and dating violence.
WARNING SIGNS: This page from the Choose Respect website offers parents a comprehensive list of warning
signs, both signs that a teen is currently in an abusive relationship and signs of an abusive person who has the potential
to perpetrate violence against an intimate partner.
their peers. Nearly three-quarters of students in the ninth-grade report that they are engaging, or have engaged, in
dating behavior. Although dating is a natural and healthy part of growing up, the prevalence of violence in teen dating
relationships is alarming. Because of the long-term effects of dating violence on victims, parents should be aware of
the potential for abuse in teen relationships and the signs of an abusive relationship. One of the risk factors for being
both a victim and a perpetrator of teen violence is inadequate parental supervision, involvement, and support.
However, even attentive parents can miss the signs of dating violence, and victims are often reluctant to divulge the
details of their intimate relationships with their families. Parents can address the problem head on by talking to their
children about dating violence before it happens and getting involved with school and community efforts to reduce the
incidence of abusive intimate relationships among teens.
CHOOSE RESPECT: Choose Respect is an initiative co-sponsored by the Division of Violence Prevention, an
office of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), which operates under the auspices of the
CDC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The aim of Choose Respect is the prevention of dating
violence through education and the fostering of healthy intra-family relationships. The Choose Respect website
provides tips and resources for parents who wish to talk to their adolescent children about dating and dating violence.
WARNING SIGNS: This page from the Choose Respect website offers parents a comprehensive list of warning
signs, both signs that a teen is currently in an abusive relationship and signs of an abusive person who has the potential
to perpetrate violence against an intimate partner.
| 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 Parents Who Fear Their Children May Be Victims of Dating Violence |
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| Barbara Bentley Motivational Author and Speaker Featured on DATELINE NBC |
| Recipient of Foundation for Improvement of Justice Award |
| Survivor of a Psychopath |