What makes a relationship abusive?

ABUSER

Possessiveness: abuser needs to know what their partner is up to at all times

Jealously: gets jealous really easily, and over everything

Put-downs: lowers partners self-esteem by saying negative comments

Threats: threatens partner if he or she doesn't do something in the way the abuser wants it done

Obsessive: Obsessive over partner

ABUSED

Seems afraid or anxious to please their partner
Goes along with everything their partner says and does
Checks in often with their partner to report where they are and what they're doing
Receives frequent harassing phone calls 
Talks about their partner's temper, jealousy , or possessiveness
Have frequent injuries, with the excuse of 'accidents'
frequently miss work, school, or social occasions, without explanations!!!!
Dresses in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (long sleeves in summer or sunglasses) 

11 Facts About Teen Dating Violence 

• Roughly 1.5 million high school boys and girls in the U.S. admit to being intentionally hit or physically harmed in the last year by someone they are romantically involved with.
• Teens who suffer dating abuse are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior
• 1 in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. A lack of alternative housing often leads women to stay in or return to violent relationships. Collect used cell phones to benefit domestic violence programs.
• 33% of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional dating abuse.
• In the U.S., 25% of high school girls have been abused physically or sexually. Teen girls who are abused this way are 6 times more likely to become pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
• Females between the ages of 16 and 24 are roughly 3 times more likely than the rest of the population to be abused by an intimate partner.
• 8 States in the U.S. do not consider a violent dating relationship domestic abuse. Therefore, adolescents, teens, and 20-somethings are unable to apply for a restraining order for protection from the abuser.
• Violent behavior often begins between 6th and 12th grade. 72% of 13 and 14-year-olds are “dating.”
• 50% of young people who experience rape or physical or sexual abuse will attempt to commit suicide.
• Only 1/3 of the teens who were involved in an abusive relationship confided in someone about the violence
• Teens who have been abused hesitate to seek help because they do not want to expose themselves or are unaware of the laws surrounding domestic violence

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