Self-Defense & Violence Prevention Blog

Marilyn Henry wrote an informative article about teen violence. She says:

…for the second year the U.S. Senate has designated the week of Feb. 5 as Teen Violence Awareness and Prevention Week.

Teen violence is a significant problem often not recognized by teens, parents, teachers and others who have daily contact with adolescents. According to the American Bar Assn., about one in five female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner, and teens have a higher risk of intimate partner abuse than adults.

Fifty-nine percent of all teens report knowing friends or peers who have been victims of dating violence.

Patterns of dating violence often start early, with victims as young as 11 or 12, and carry through into adult relationships. Violent relationships in adolescence have serious consequences for victims, many of whom will continue to be abused in their adult relationships and are at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behaviors, serious injury and suicide.

Read entire Times Reporter article by Marilyn Henry.

I did not even know about teen Violence Awareness and Prevention Week until I read the above article. I hope the week raises awareness about this important topic. Because of their inexperience, teenagers lack the knowledge to identify, avoid, and escape abusive relationships. Additionally, the emotional scars of victimization affect teens worse than more mature adults.

What do you think?