Dating Beyond Control ~"Demi's Story"

Ten Warning Signs of an

Abusive Relationship

* Obsessive texting~Constant contact with victim

* History of discipline problems

* Blames you for his or her anger

* Serious drug and or alcohol use

* History of violent behavior

* Threatens others regularly

* Insults you or calls you names

* Trouble controlling feelings of anger

* Tells you what to wear, what to do, how to act

* Threatens or intimidates you, in order to get their way

* Prevents you from spending time with your family or friends

~One in three teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked

or physically hurt by their partner.

~Nearly 1 in 5 teenage girls who have been in a relationship said a boyfriend had threatened violence

or self-harm if presented with a breakup.

~Thirteen percent of teenage girls who said they have been in a relationship report being physically hurt or hit.

~More than 1 in 4 teenage girls in a relationship (26 percent) report enduring repeated verbal abuse.

~Eighty percent of teens regard verbal abuse as a "serious issue" for their age group.

~If trapped in an abusive relationship, 73 percent of teens said they would turn to a friend for help;

but only 33 percent who have been in or known about an abusive relationship said they have told anyone about it..

~Twenty-four percent of 14-to 17-year-olds know at least one student who has been the victim of dating violence,

yet 81 percent of parents either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don't know if it is an issue.

~Less than 25 percent of teens say they have discussed dating violence with their parents.

~Eighty-nine percent of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 say they have been in dating relationships;

forty percent of teenage girls age 14 to 17

report knowing someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend.