Teen dating violence— also called intimate relationship violence or intimate partner violence among adolescents or adolescent relationship abuse — includes physical, psychological or sexual abuse; harassment; or stalking of any person ages 12 to 18 in the context of a past or present romantic or consensual relationshipⁱ. It is important to understand and recognize the signs of teen dating violence. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dating violence is not about love, it is about power and control. “Dating violence involves a pattern of behaviors that one partner uses to try to control the other. These behaviors may include physical and sexual violence and emotional abuse.”ⁱⁱCDC has created a factsheet that explains the warning signs of teen dating violence as well as strategies to prevent teen dating violence.

To get help, please visit:

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
If you or someone you know has been the victim of dating violence, free and confidential help is available 24 hours a day through the National Dating Abuse Helpline.

• Call 1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453.
• Seek online support at www.loveisrespect.org through the live chat feature.
• Text ‘loveis’ directly to 77054 to begin a text chat with an advocate.

For more information, please visit:

Girlshealth.gov – Healthy Relationships – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Girlshealth.gov – Safe Relationships – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Institute of Justice – U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Adolescent Health – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office on Violence Against Women - U.S. Department of Justice

Womenshealth.gov – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Dating Matters-Supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services