Teen Dating Violence: Statistics

Forty-four percent of college graduates have been in an abusive relationship.1
image from Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria

According to a 2012 study in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, teen dating violence is related to health problems in adulthood. 2

Teen Dating Violence: A Widespread Problem

In the U.S. alone almost 1.5 million high school students are physically abused by a dating partner every year. 3

Nearly 40% of male and female adolescents have been physically or sexually abused by a dating partner. 4

More than 1/3 of women and 1/4 of men experience rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner. 5

Teen Dating Violence: Enduring Consequences

Teenage females who experience dating violence are 4x - 6x more likely to become pregnant. 6

Teens who have been in abusive relationships are more likely to feel hopeless and attempt suicide. 7

Teens who have experienced dating violence are moe likely to experience violent relationships as an adult. 8

Teens in abusive dating relationships are more likely to smoke, binge drink, and use drugs. 9



Teen Dating Violence: Sources

1. Forke CM, Myers RK, Catallozzi M, Schwarz DF. Relationship Violence Among Female and Male College Undergraduate Students. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008;162(7):634-641.

2. Exner-Cortens, D.; Eckenrode, J.; & Rothman, E. (2013). Longitudinal associations between teen dating violence victimization and adverse health outcomes. Pediatrics, 131(1), 71-78.

3. Love is Respect http://www.loveisrespect.org/is-this-abuse/dating-violence-statistics

4. Halpern, et al. Patterns of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization from Adolescence to Young Adulthood in a Nationally Representative Sample Journal of Adolescent Health. (2009); 45(5): 508–516.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey

6. Silverman, J., Raj, A., Mucci, L., & Hathaway, J. (2001). Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Abuse, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality. Journal of the American Medical Association. 286(5): p. 572-279.

7. Howard, Yang, & Fan, 2009; CDC, 2005.

8. Smith et al., 2002; CDC, 2005.

9. Silverman, Raj, Mucci, & Hathaway, 2001.



Tip: It's easier to stop teen dating violence if you know the warning signs of an abusive relationship.

TDV Articles

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Read the full article at Polygon

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Read the full article at Games for Health

TDV Spotlight

The use of Technology in Abusive Relationships

TechnoLaw Guy

According to a 2009 study by the CDC, 10% of teens report having been physically abused within the past year by a dating partner. By the time students have graduated from college 44% of them will have been in an abusive relationship.

Technology is often leveraged against people in abusive relationships and because teenagers and college students are heavy users of technology they are disproportionately affected by these abusive practices. According to a 2007 study 67% of teens own cell phones, 93% use the internet, and nearly half visit social networking sites daily . . .