This project is supported by subgrantee NO X18-8-036

awarded by the state administering office for the Domestic

Violence Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions
and recommendations expressed in the publications,
program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not
necessarily reflect the views of the state or CJCC.

Healthy Relationships and Teen Dating

Violence Awareness
Erica Powers, Youth Development Coordinator
Sharon B. Barber, Director of Operations &
Program Services
 Healthy Relationships
and Teen Dating Violence
Awareness
RESPECT for yourself and others

SafeHomes of Augusta
Domestic Violence Center
What is dating
violence?
Controlling,abusive, or
aggressive behavior that
occurs in a relationship.
Violence can reveal itself
verbally, emotionally,
physically, or a combination
of all.
 5 Types of Abuse:
Physical
Emotional
Social/Isolation/Digital
Sexual
Economic
Physical Abuse Hitting Biting
Slapping Choking
Pushing Throwing things
Grabbing Using a weapon
Kicking
Hair pulling
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
Ignoring your feelings/opinions
Isolating you from your friends/family
Purposely scaring you
Making threats to you, themselves, your
friends/family
Commonly present with physical
abuse
Verbal Abuse
Name calling
Putting you down
Yelling/shouting
Verbal threats to you,
friends, family
Not telling you things
Spreading rumors about you
 Controlling Behavior
Keeping you from your friends
Constant phone calls
Texts checking up on you
Telling you how to dress/how to act
Putting you down
Having to be with you all the time
Abusive/Aggressive Behavior
Use coercive/manipulative behaviors
Use their size/physical strength to gain
control/intimidate you
Throw/break things
Scare you with their actions/behaviors
Unwanted kissing/touching
 Phase 1:
Phase 3: Tensions
Honeymoon Build

Conflict, arguing,
Remorseful, stress, verbal abuse,
apologetic, isolation, etc.
makes promises,
loving, tries to
justify
behavior Phase 2:
Abuse Occurs

Yelling, punching, shoving,

grabbing, breaking things,
shoving, etc.
Normalized Violence
Name-calling
Bullying/cyberbullying
Social media affects
History of witnessing
violence
The need to fit-in
 Digital Abuse & Stalking
The use of social media and cell phones help to NORMALIZE violence.
- Most teens have a cell phone and some kind of social media, and its all at their
fingertips.
- Texts, social media, and calls are being used to control and intimidate teens in
dating relationships.
- There are easier ways to hide things from parents/guardians.
- Ghost Apps, Instant Messaging Apps, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Cyberbullying is on the rise because it is easily overlooked by parents/guardians.
- Leaking nude photos, spreading rumors, making threats
Stalking
- Abusers use technology to stalk/follow their partners,
- Degrading messages, public embarrassment, location services
Victims of digital abuse and harassment are 2x as likely to be physically
abused, 2.5x as likely to be psychologically abused, and 5x as likely to be
sexually coerced. Urban Institute, Teen Dating Abuse and Harassment
in the Digital World, 2016.
How often does this happen?
1 in 5 high school girls is hurt by a
dating partner in some way.

1 in 3 teens experience some kind

of abuse in their romantic relationships.
But that only happens to
Datingviolence can occur in any
relationship.
Personsof any class, culture, religion,
gender can be VICTIMS or PERPETRATORS.
It does not discriminate
What if this happens to
my friend?
Show them that you are
concerned
Let them know what you have
noticed
Let them know its not their fault
Believe them without judgement
or blame
Help them get the help they need
Intervene- to an extent
People abuse because
Family history
Learned behavior
Belief systems
Violent tendencies
Need for control
Its complicated: Why dont they just
break up?
Fear Pregnancy/Parenting
Believing Abuse is Normal Distrust of Adults
Embarrassment They dont want to be
Low Self- Esteem alone

Love Fear they wont find

anyone else
Social/Peer Pressure
Cultural/ Religious Reasons
Warning signs:
Jealously Scaring you
Possessiveness Pressuring you
Denying a break up Extreme insecurity
Controlling decisions Major mood swings
Not listening to Normalizing violence
opinions
Putting you down
What should I look for in a partner/friend?
Someone who
Treats you with respect.
Doesnt make fun of things
you like or want to do.
Doesnt get angry if you
spend time with your friends
or family.
Listens to your ideas and
compromise sometimes.
Isnt excessively negative.
Isnt afraid to share their
thoughts and feelings.
Is comfortable around your
friends and family.
Is proud of your
accomplishments and
successes.
Respects your boundaries.
Doesnt require you to
check in or need to know
where you are all the time.
Is caring and honest.
Has things in common with
you.
How can we end dating violence?
We can break the cycle by:
Becoming educated
Promoting awareness
Empowering others
Creating dating violence awareness clubs in school
Intervening when concerned (to an extent)
Talking to a parent or adult
Participating
in SafeDates
- 8 week evidence-based curriculum
Lets see what we learned

Healthy or Unhealthy?
Healthy

Your partner tells you how

special you are and how much
they care about you.
Unhealthy

After an argument, your

partner blocks the doorway and
takes your keys to prevent you
from leaving.
Unhealthy

Ifyou have a disagreement,

your partner uses the silent
treatment and wont talk to
you for days.
Unhealthy

Yourpartner controls your

Facebook and other social
media accounts.
Healthy

Your partner appreciates your

passions and encourages you to
do the things you love.
How to get help?
Talk to your parent, teacher, guidance counselor, pastor, a
trusted adult or family member
Visit safehomesdv.org to learn more or call 706-736-2499
Become a volunteer
Senior project opportunities, internships
Text the national dating abuse helpline at 77054
Visit loveisrespect.org and breakthecycle.org to know
more
And remember,

Its about respect.