What is Teen Dating Violence?
Teen dating violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors—emotional, verbal, physical, or sexual—used by one partner to gain power and control over another in a dating relationship. While some forms of abuse may be obvious, others can be subtle, making it difficult for teens to recognize when they are in an unhealthy or dangerous situation.
Teen dating violence can have lasting effects on a young person’s mental and physical health, including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and difficulty forming healthy relationships in the future. It sets the stage for adult relationships, making victims more susceptible to domestic violence and sexual assault later in life. No one deserves to be mistreated and recognizing the warning signs is the first step toward seeking help and support.
Recognizing the Signs
Abuse in teen relationships can take many forms, from controlling behaviors to physical harm. This section lists common warning signs that a relationship may be unhealthy or abusive.
Take the “Love is Respect” Relationship Test.
If you or someone you know is experiencing teen dating violence, help is available. No one deserves to feel unsafe in a relationship. Reach out to a trusted adult, school counselor, or call our confidential support hotline for guidance. You are not alone.
Please call us at (906) 524-7078 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! We CAN help!
Emotional & Psychological Abuse
- Constantly putting you down, criticizing, or insulting you
- Threatening to harm you, themselves, or others if you leave the relationship
- Controlling who you talk to, what you wear, or where you go
- Pressuring you to spend all your time with them and isolating you from friends and family
- Gaslighting—making you question your own memories or feelings
Verbal & Digital Harassment
- Sending excessive texts or calls to check on you or demand to know your whereabouts
- Insulting, humiliating, or threatening you over text or social media
- Demanding access to your phone, social media, or passwords
- Posting or threatening to post personal or embarrassing information about you online
Physical & Sexual Abuse
- Pushing, hitting, grabbing, or physically hurting you in any way
- Pressuring or forcing you into sexual activity
- Ignoring your boundaries or not respecting your right to say no
- Using drugs or alcohol to pressure you into unwanted activities