|
Teen Dating Violence… What is “romantic”? |
|
Archives |
|
White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. |
|
“Serving the Rosebud Reservation since 1977” P.O. Box 227 Mission, SD 57555 |
|
Abuse in a dating relationship can be confusing and frightening at any age. But for teenagers, who are just beginning to date and develop romantic relationships, this abuse is especially difficult. Surveys show dating violence is not uncommon among teens. Statistics show that one in three high school students have been or will be involved in an abusive relationship. Forty percent of teenager’s girls ages 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit or beaten by a boyfriend. One in five college females will experience some form of dating violence. Six out of 10 rapes of young women occur in their own home or a friend’s or relative’s home and by someone they love or know very well, not in a dark alley. In dating violence, one partner tries to maintain power and control over the other through abuse, and not necessarily physical abuse. Most victims are young women, who are also at greater risk for serious injury. When the abuse is physical or sexual, it can be easy to identify. Emotional abuse is much harder to recognize and deal with for young adult, but no less damaging by any means. Teen dating violence often is hidden because teenagers typically are inexperienced. Sometimes their peers pressure them to act violently. Some of them want independence from parents or have twisted “romantic” views of love. Teen dating violence is influenced by how teenagers look at themselves and others. Young man and young women may have a distorted view on love and relationships and that may be influenced by a number of reasons. It is important for teenagers to learn how to identify the early warning signs of an abusive relationship, understand that they do have choices, and believe they are valued people who deserve to be treated with respect. Help is available, if you are a teenager involved in an abusive relationship, you need to remember that no one deserves to be abused or threatened. Remember you cannot change your batterer, and in time the violence will get worse. You need to take care of yourself. You should think ahead about ways to be safe. The White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc in partnership with local Schools, parents, teachers, and community organizations have been working on reaching out to our youth and helping them identify dating violence and provide support for abused victims. But teens themselves must also learn how to reach out and help friends who are victims of relationship abuse. During Teen Dating Violence Awareness week in April, Tillie Black Bear led her staff to St. Francis Indian School, Todd County High School, White River High School, Juvenile Detention Center as well as our local Middle Schools and conducted a survey and workshop on how to recognize signs of abuse and what to truly expect of a romantic relationship. Students from all ages opened up and candidly, in some instances, shared their thoughts and experiences. “It is not our intention to tell them what to do or how to live their lives, we just wanted to give them some options, let them know that if violence and abuse is all they know… there is a better way and they disserve it. We hope this also will lead to healthier teen-dating relationships” said Black Bear after completing workshops at St. Francis Indian School. For additional information on resources and/or assistance, contact the White Buffalo Calf Woman Society crisis line at 605-856-2317. Help is always available. |
|
White Buffalo Calf Woman Society, Inc. P.O. Box 227 Mission, SD 57555 U.S.A. |
|
Phone: 605-856-2317 Fax: 605-856-2494 E-mail: webmaster@wbcws.org
You can contact us and send us your questions at: |
