Prevalence of Teen Dating Violence
Estimates of teen dating violence prevalence vary widely because studies define and measure violence differently over different periods of time for different populations.
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, an annual nationally representative survey of youth in grades 9-12, shows that approximately one in 10 adolescents report being a victim of physical violence from a romantic partner in the last 12 months.[1]
The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, analyzing a nationally representative sample of adolescents in grades 7-12 who were then followed over time, shows that approximately 30 percent of youth ages 12 to 21 in heterosexual relationships report experiencing psychological abuse in the past 18 months. Twenty percent of youth in same sex relationships reported experiencing the same type of abuse.[2] [3]
More than seven percent of youth in the Youth Risk Behavior Study reported being forced to have sexual intercourse against their will, though the percentage attributable to a romantic or dating partner is unknown.[4]
To date, there are no nationally representative data on sexual dating violence victimization among teens or on dating violence perpetration of any type.
Notes
[1] [4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Surveillance Summaries: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance — United States, 2009 (pdf, 148 pages).
[2] Halpern, C. T., Oslak, S. G., Young, M. L., Martin, S. L., & Kupper, L. L. (2001). Partner Violence Among Adolescents in Opposite-Sex Romantic Relationships: Findings from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 1679-1685.
