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Dating Violence
By Amanda Dutra
Visit any high school campus in America today and you will witness dating violence in action. It is estimated that one out of every five girls is abused in some context by their significant other, and that a substantial portion of females in their adolescent years are aware of an individual in their lives that has been affected by dating violence in one way or another (Dating Violence Resource Center). But do adolescents consider their romantic partner abusive when they hold them against their will because they want a hug, or berate them in front of their peers? Probably not, since according to the Dating Violence Resource Center, dating violence is defined as “Controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship. It occurs in both heterosexual and homosexual relationships and can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, or a combination of these” (P. 1). This definition provides some perspective regarding dating behaviors that may be considered violent and intrusive to the innocent party in the relationship, which may be a male or a female.
Dating violence is a serious problem that must be addressed in the high school setting on a more consistent basis. This paper will address the significance of dating violence, its causes and methods of prevention, and the development of strategies to provide knowledge and education that will reduce the incidence of this phenomenon in the teenage population. It will be determined that one of the only means of effectively expressing the seriousness of dating violence is through up close and personal education programs in high schools that will provide an increased awareness of this problem and its incidence in modern society. In order to introduce the topic and its severity, a number of statistical inferences will now be introduced, which will offer a greater understanding of the frequency of teen dating violence in today’s high school population.
A number of key statistics address the prevalence of dating violence in today's teen population. For example, approximately 15-42 percent of all teenagers have experienced one or more violent confrontations with their dating partners, and anywhere from 3-23 percent of female teens have been victims of sexual violence, with an additional 2-4 percent of males experiencing a similar fate (Spencer and Bryant, 2000). In one study that examined the significance of dating violence patterns of over 2,000 students in upstate New York, it was determined that a higher number of students in rural school districts had experienced dating violence in 16 percent of all cases, as compared to 8 percent for urban students (Spencer and Bryant, 2000). Although there are distinct differences between rural and urban areas, the facts are the same, regardless of the location; teen dating violence is a serious problem that plagues modern high schools, leading to an increased incidence of social and academic complications for young students (Spencer and Bryant, 2000). Based upon this research study, it should be noted that the frequency of dating violence requires a significant increase in awareness at the high school level, and that a wide variety of programs will encourage and advance this awareness to a new level (Spencer and Bryant, 2000).
It is alarming to note that teen dating violence has been known to lead to homicides, with a higher risk noted for females over males (Hickman, Jaycox, and Aronoff, 2004). For example, homicides accounted for approximately 10 percent of all homicides of 12 to 15 year-old females, while 22 percent of all females aged 16 to 19 were also murdered by their dating partners (Hickman et.al, 2004). These statistics are particularly alarming because they offer a greater sense of the seriousness and the extent of dating violence, with particular attention paid to the consequences that females pay, which go above and beyond male homicides, of which only 1 percent are attributed to dating violence (Hickman et.al, 2004). These statistics demonstrate that females are at a much greater risk of being victimized by dating violence than males in most instances (Hickman et.al, 2004).
A wide variety of resources are available for utilization in evaluating the influence of dating violence on teenagers. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System is a measure of health-related risks amongst high school students, and these statistics demonstrate that almost 10 percent of females and a little over 9 percent of males had experienced some type of dating violence within a one year period (Hickman et.al, 2004).
Another group of statistics by Roscoe and Callahan (1985) demonstrate that there is a greater percentage of males and females of high school age that have been direct targets of dating violence, based upon gender (36 percent of females and 37 percent of males) (Hickman et.al, 2004). In the suburbs, these numbers are also disturbing, where 44 percent of females and 16 percent of males were reported as perpetrators of dating violence, and it was reported that the low number of males in this sample is a result of their willingness to commit more serious acts of violence (Hickman et.al, 2004). A study conducted by the authors indicates that in the Latino population in Los Angeles, there are clear indicators of problems related to dating violence as noted in the following statistics: 1) 51 percent of males and 49 percent of females reported being victimized in an act of dating violence; 2) 45 percent of males and 42 percent of females were targets of psychological abuse; 3) 25 percent of males and 21 percent of females were targets of physical violence; 4) 15 percent of males and 14 percent of females had experienced sexual violence; and 5) 4 percent of all participants were injured in the dating violence incident (Hickman et.al, 2004). Clearly, although there are some differences between various reporting techniques, leading to different interpretions of similar results; however, it is evident that these results, regardless of these small differences in reported numbers, are alarming and sufficient enough to warrant additional investigation and education regarding the potential dangers of dating violence.
What causes dating violence? The specific circumstances that lead to dating violence are not always known, but the outcomes may lead to permanent consequences for both persons. The key indicators of dating violence include the following: 1) Patterns of negative behavior that continue to cause problems in the dating relationship; 2) One or more incidents involving physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; 2) A feeling of intimidation on the part of the victim; and 3) Extreme actions that may include controlling behavior over the victim and his or her lifestyle (Office of the Washington State Attorney General). Unfortunately, when abusers begin this type of behavioral pattern, victims often led to believe that these actions are their own fault, thereby creating a precedence for guilt and shame over what has or has not taken place in the relationship, and there is often a strong need by the victim to obtain steadfast approval by the abuser, even under these complex circumstances (Office of the Washington State Attorney General).
In exploring the deeper causes of dating violence, it is necessary to examine a number of key characteristics that are common in these circumstances. An article by Chase, Treboux, and O’Leary (2002) evaluates patterns of dating violence, many of which are primarily a result of existing conditions such as substance abuse, various criminal behaviors, and a history of violence in the abuser’s background. There is a strong correlation between high-risk behaviors and the tendency to commit dating violence, and this includes the relationship between psychological state and well being of the abuser, as well as other critical factors (Chase et.al, 2002).
It is also important to consider that the existence of violence in the offender’s home is perhaps one of the key criteria in the tendency to commit dating violence in the adolescent years (Foshee, Ennett, Bauman, Benefield, and Suchindran, 2005). It has been discovered that there are some differences amongst ethnic groups with regards to dating violence, and that some groups are more likely to experience higher statistics regarding dating violence than others (Foshee et.al, 2005). In general, females report higher levels of dating violence than their male counterparts, including reported rates of 18-32 percent of all adolescent females as victims of dating violence, and 8-32 percent as victims of rape (Taylor and Sorensen, 2004). With the degree of diversity in ethnicity throughout the United States, it is evident that males and females across the spectrum are victims of dating violence, and that there are no boundaries with respect to ethnicity or race (Taylor and Sorensen, 2004). A sample generated in California utilized participants from a wide variety of backgrounds, including Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, and Asian American, and the statistics are widespread and frequent across each ethnic group (Taylor and Sorensen, 2004). This study was primarily concerned with the legal implications and requirements of teen dating violence in the State of California, and many participants responded that matters of teen dating violence typically require outside intervention from law enforcement or family members; however, more individuals believe that "nonlegal societal interventions, such as prevention programming, might receive higher levels of support from these groups in particular" (Taylor and Sorensen, 2004). This result demonstrates that educational programming that is targeted at adolescents in dating relationships is perhaps one of the most effective measures of success in reducing these incidents over a period of time (Taylor and Sorensen, 2004).
In reference to gender differences amongst adolescents, dating violence provides some interesting observations. A study by Foshee, Linder, MacDougall, and Bangdiwala (2001) addresses the significance of defining the problems that contribute to this negative behavior. Therefore, it should be noted that dating violence should be examined from a longitudinal perspective, which will provide critical information regarding behaviors that lead to these actions (Foshee et.al, 2001). Specifically, there is evidence to suggest that many gender-specific norms have been created that are likely to be associated with acts of dating violence, and that many social skills are also related to a higher incidence of these actions (Foshee et.al, 2001). It is important to recognize that there are key relationships between dating violence and existing behavioral traits related to family problems, alcoholism, and depression, amongst others (Foshee et.al, 2001). According to the study, "Friend involvement in dating violence was a consistent correlate of dating violence by both male and female adolescents and it was a strong predictor of dating violence by females. Because of the longitudinal design we can conclude that female adolescents are influenced by their friends’ dating violence behaviors, not that they just select similar friends after they have become involved in dating violence" (Foshee et.al, 2001, P. 136). Therefore, it is strongly suggested in the study that dating violence is often perpetrated by influences from friends who might consider dating violence as an appropriate act of behavior in a relationship, since these individuals might not be able to examine the negative aspects of these actions (Foshee et.al, 2001).
In terms of developing prevention strategies for reducing the incidence of dating violence, it has been observed that there are fewer programs that are available for adolescents versus those offered to adults (Hickman et.al, 2004). Unfortunately, as a result of these findings, many adolescents might discover that their options are limited with respect to obtaining support for their cause (Hickman et.al, 2004). Although these programs continue to emerge in schools and local communities, there are still many limitations in these offerings, and therefore, the long-term impact of existing programs is still too difficult to determine until additional research is conducted regarding these programs (Hickman et.al, 2004).
In general, the statistics regarding teen dating violence have become increasingly alarming over the years, with considerable influence placed upon where these actions take place and the frequency of such acts. For example, the following statistics provide additional insights into the problem of teen dating violence (Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence):
36.4 percent of surveyed teenage females reported that they had been victims of dating violence on at least one occasion, while 37.1 percent of males had been the victims, and males initiated the act of violence in 70 percent of all cases, while females initiated the acts in 27 percent of all cases It has been reported that 43 percent of teen dating violence is performed on or near school grounds Approximately 40 percent of all teenage females are aware of an individual that has been a victim of teen dating violence Approximately 30 percent of all teenage homicides to females are initiated by a boyfriend, whether past or present As many as 96 percent of all teenagers have experienced some type of psychological or emotional abuse in their dating relationships (National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center) Approximately 5 percent of all cases of dating violence are caused by women against men, women by women in lesbian relationships, and men by other men in gay relationships (Teen Relationships Website) During 1996-1997, there were over 4,000 acts of sexual assault in public schools in the United States (American Bar Association) There is distinct association between dating violence and teen pregnancy rates in the United States (American Bar Association) Rapes committed by offenders under the age of 18 were directed at victims in the same age group in 90 percent of all cases (American Bar Association) For new mothers under 18 years of age, there is a marked increase in teen dating violence, including some form of physical abuse during the first few months after childbirth has taken place (American Bar Association) In 86 percent of high school students surveyed, they would be inclined to confide in a friend after an incident of dating violence, while only 7 percent would consider talking to police (American Bar Association) In 2001, Minnesota examined the patterns of over 81,000 high school students, examining such problems as date violence and rape, and discovered that 50 percent of those that reported both dating violence and rape had considered suicide after these events had taken place (American Bar Association) It has also been discovered that teen dating violence is also related to marital violence in many cases (American Bar Association)
These statistics are particularly distressing for a number of reasons, and the teen dating violence phenomenon appears to be increasing rather than decreasing in scope. The statistics offered by the Minnesota study provide even greater significance of the emotional trauma and intensity of teen dating violence in the lives of those most affected by these problems. It is likely that many parents and educators are unaware of the widespread extent of these problems, and that they are naïve enough to believe that their children could not be affected by teen dating violence during adolescence. The depth and extent of teen dating violence continues to reach urban and rural areas in increased numbers, and it is necessary to consider that many individuals in these relationships might be too afraid to tell anyone else of their misfortunes. Therefore, they continue to be violated by their partners in one way or another, and in some cases, their lives are taken as a result of these problems. According to the American Bar Association,
“Overwhelming statistical evidence demonstrates the need for immediate, serious, national action in order to halt this dangerous trend. Beginning in the high school environment where the most physical forms of dating violence are taking place, successful efforts to eradicate this alarming trend requires the participation of both federal and state leaders and lawmakers, community organizations and leaders, school personnel, parents, and teenagers themselves – all of whom, in partnership, are critical to reducing and eliminating the causal factors associated with teen dating violence” (P. 1)
Finally, it is necessary to consider that in order to reduce the incidence of dating violence behaviors in adolescents, a number of issues must be addressed at the outset, including the following: 1) The background and family history of the abuser; 2) The psychological framework and mental stability of the offender; 3) The long-term effects of violence for the victim; and 4) The influence of prevention programs in curbing the incidence of dating violence on a long-term basis. These considerations are critical to the understanding of dating violence and its influence on adolescents everywhere. Students across the United States, even in remote or rural areas, are strongly affected by dating violence in many cases, and it is important to recognize that these events often lead to considerable challenges in maintaining relationships with non-threatening partners, with friends and family, and with other professionals. Furthermore, there are many cases in which the violence is so severe that teenagers are frightened to tell anyone about their experiences. The emotional toll that these circumstances introduces to the table is too great to ignore, and it requires an extensive examination of the underlying factors regarding teenage behaviors in order to determine the cause and extent of these actions. Many teenagers also believe that they are at fault for acts of teen dating violence, and as a result, their guilt often plays a critical role in their inability to conduct a normal live without fear and any hope of recovery. Teenagers must not be afraid to seek the support that is necessary to overcome these challenges, and this includes guidance from friends and family, as well as law enforcement and other influential persons when necessary. In order to promote this understanding, additional research must be performed regarding this highly sensitive topic, and extreme caution must be taken in determining the types of prevention programs that must be established as the need arises.
References
American Bar Association Steering Committee on the Unmet Legal Needs of Children.
Teen dating violence fact sheet. Retrieved December 7, 2005, from http://www.kcsarc.org/publications/Teen_Dating_Violence_Fact_Sheet.pdf
Chase, K., Treboux, D., and O’Leary, K.D. (2002). Characteristics of high-risk
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Spencer, G., and Bryant, S. (2000). Dating violence: a comparison of rural, suburban,
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