In March 2006, Liz Claiborne, Inc. commissioned Teenage Research Unlimited (TRU) to conduct a survey to study the issue of teenage dating abuse, to measure the degree to which teens have been involved in abusive/controlling relationships and to understand youth awareness regarding what is and what is not acceptable behavior in a relationship.
The findings are remarkable. The results show that alarming numbers of teens experience and accept abusive behavior in dating relationships and that the problems intensify as teens get older and into more serious relationships.

Significant findings include:

— One in two teens who have been in a serious relationship say they’ve gone against their beliefs in order to please their partner.
— One in three girls who have been in a serious relationship say they have been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner.
— One in four teens who have been in a serious relationship say their boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.
— One in three girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age if they’re in a relationship; half of the teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they were afraid that the relationship would break up if they did not give in.
— Nearly one in four girls (23 percent) who have been in a relationship reported going further sexually than they wanted as a result of pressure.
— One in five teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.

The reports of abuse extend across suburbs and cities, all ethnic groups and regions; teens in the South and the Midwest report abuse in greater numbers than other regions. Alarming acceptance of physical violence is reported among Hispanic teens.

Eileen Puglisi is director of the diocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Young People. Her FYI column will appear periodically in TLIC to keep readers informed about issues and challenges that impact on the safety and protection of young people.

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Last modified: 11/15/2007
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