What is teen dating violence?
Teen dating violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that is used to maintain power and control over a current or former dating partner. This can include physical or sexual violence, emotional or verbal abuse, use of technology, threats, isolation, and stalking. Teen dating violence can happen to anyone, of any gender, background or identity.
What do we know?
Nationally…
- 1 in 12 high school students who dated in the last year have experienced physical or sexual abuse.
- About half of dating teens report having been stalked or harassed.
- Up to 65% of dating teens report experiencing psychological abuse from a dating partner.
- About 1 in 3 teens have experienced cyber dating abuse, and 1 in 4 teens say they’ve used cyber abuse behaviors.
- About 20% of college undergraduate students report experiencing physical dating violence.
- Between 1 in 5 and 1 in 4 women report experiencing sexual violence while in college.
In the Penquis region…
- 9% of high school students who dated during the past 12 months were physically hurt by a dating partner.
- 6% of high school students were forced to have sexual contact in the last 12 months.
- Students who are BIPOC and/or those who are LGBTQ+ answered yes at higher rates than those who are not.
Some teens are at higher risk than others…
- Teens age 15-18 experience higher rates of dating violence than younger teens.
- Teens who identify as LGBTQ+ are twice as likely to experience physical dating violence and almost three times as likely to experience sexual dating violence.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
In February, we ramp up our awareness efforts for Teen Dating Violence and we hope you will join us! We have compiled a handout with more information about the month and teen dating violence and resources in general.
February 11th is Wear Orange Day to raise awareness! Show us your orange on social media, using the hashtags #WearOrange4Love #TeenDVMonth2025 and tag us on Facebook (facebook.com/partnersforpeaceme) and Instagram (@partnerforpeace)!
Love Is Respect has a month full of webinars and plans to go live on Instagram. Check out the full calendar here.
How can I get help for myself or a friend?
If you are affected by dating abuse, we can help. If you’re a friend, family member, parent, or teacher and you’re concerned about someone you know, we can help you too. Call our free helpline at 1.800.863.9909.
We will:
- Listen to you and not judge.
- Offer support for your feelings and information about your choices.
- Explore your situation and answer any questions you may have.
- Help you plan for safety in school and at home.
- Talk with you about how to be helpful to someone you care about.
- Keep your information confidential.
If you’re more comfortable talking to someone in person at our office or at your school, contact us or call our helpline to schedule a time to meet. Your guidance counselor or a teacher can also help you get in touch with us.
What can parents, teachers, and other adults do?
- Talk with teens about relationships, boundaries, friendship, and dating.
- Be someone they can trust – listen without judging or making assumptions. Believe them.
- Talk with them about plans for safety and respect their opinions. Ask how you can help.
- Offer to connect them with Partners for Peace and other resources.
- Consider reaching out for support for yourself too.
- Schedule a Partners for Peace presentation for you class or organization to learn more.
Local Resources:
- Free, confidential services for anyone in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties affected by domestic abuse and violence.
- Free, confidential 24/7 helpline 1-800-863-9909
- Facebook and Instagram
- Supporting those affected by sexual violence in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.
- 24/7 helpline 1-800-871-7741
- Shaw House in Bangor provides preventative and emergency services to youth between the ages of 10 and 24 who are at risk of, or who are currently experiencing, homelessness.
- 1-866-561-7429
Community Health and Counseling Adult and Youth Crisis Service
- Call 988 or 1-888-568-1112 for 24/7 support
- CHCS Children’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care Clinic
- Located in Bangor
- Open Monday-Saturday 12p-8p
- Teen Drop-In Center
- Monthly Queer Youth Fridays for ages 13-18 hosted by Equality Maine, 2nd Friday of the month from 3p-6p at the Bangor YMCA (membership not required)
National Resources:
Love Is Respect www.loveisrespect.org
- For ages 13-26
- Information about dating violence and relationships
- Free national helpline, live online chat, and text line
Take It Down https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/
- Free resource to help minors remove explicit photos or videos of themselves online
TechSafety.org https://www.techsafety.org/survivor-toolkit/teens-and-technology
- Information and resources about technology and dating abuse
- For teenagers and supportive adults
Helpful Handouts: