One in three women and one in four men experience a violent relationship. If those are sobering numbers, the stats on high schoolers experiencing dating violence are shocking. According to studies, 1 in 12 high school students report being physically hurt by a dating partner, while even more experience emotional or verbal abuse, with 50 percent of teen dating violence occurring with a 3rd party present.
According to these studies, teens often wait 6 months before seeking help, if at all. These alarming figures underscore the urgent need for education and prevention programs to address dating violence among young people.
Revere Public Schools partnered with HarborCOV in Chelsea this week to host a Teen Dating Violence Presentation and Restorative Justice Circle for all RPS social workers. At the event, attendees learned about the causes and consequences of teen dating violence. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenges in real time, and share personal stories.
This collaborative effort aimed to equip social workers with the tools and knowledge necessary to support teens facing these issues and to foster a safe environment for open dialogue. By addressing these critical topics, RPS and HarborCOV are taking important steps toward promoting awareness and prevention of dating violence among youth.
In their presentation, HarborCOV’s Penny King and Cindy Cruz talked about some of the warning signs RPS should look for if they suspect a student is a victim of dating violence, such as observing name-calling or insults, reported online digital abuse, if a student starts dressing differently, if an otherwise good student begins showing poor academic performance or other troubles in school, and isolation.
The presentation also touched upon what makes a youth more susceptible to experiencing dating violence. This includes trauma within the home or community, risky behavior like substance or alcohol use, dating or sexually active before age 16, low self-esteem, anger management, depression, exhibiting antisocial behavior, aggressive conflict-management styles, little to no relationship experience, or being vulnerable to peer pressure. Other factors that may contribute include a lack of communication skills, poor anger management, low self-esteem, depression, lack of parental supervision, or violence in the community.
However, studies have shown that teens who have a strong support system, like close family, friends, or teachers, and a strong adult role model, greatly reduce the chances of a teen becoming a victim of dating violence. Learning healthy coping skills, having healthy self-esteem, and having access to resources can also reduce the chances of becoming a victim.
Both King and Cruz also urged RPS social workers to believe students if they report dating violence and validate their feelings, follow their language, connect them to resources, and help formulate a safety plan. But the team from HarborCOV warned not to judge students, assume anything, encourage them to leave, involve their abuser in any conversation, or make a decision for a student because it takes away control.
Events like this raise awareness of teen dating/domestic violence and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. HarborCOV's mission is to provide linguistically and culturally appropriate, high-quality emergency and support services; safe, affordable transitional and permanent low-income housing; and advocate on behalf of victims and survivors of domestic violence while working to educate the public about its causes and consequences.
Founded in 1998, HarborCOV provides free safety and support services, along with housing and economic opportunities that promote long-term stability for people affected by violence and abuse. HarborCOV specializes in serving survivors who face additional barriers, such as language, cultural, and economic hardships, and works to create connections to the supports survivors need to rebuild their lives through a continuum of options. With a commitment to social and economic justice, HarborCOV takes a comprehensive approach to addressing violence within the context of family, culture, and community.
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