Services Include:

  • Safety Planning
    Advocacy

  • Documentation of assault

  • Photograph of injuries

  • Assistance with protective orders

  • Emergency Hospital Accompaniment

  • Individual Counseling

  • Teen Support Group

  • 911 Cell Phones

  • Information on Crime Victim Compensation

  • Information & Referrals

 

Our phones are answered by a trained staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to address the needs of victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking or homelessness.


Teen Dating Violence

What is Teen Dating Violence?
Teen dating violence is a pattern of repeated actual or threatened acts that physically, emotionally, sexually, or verbally abuses a member of an unmarried couple between 13 and 19 years old.

Early warning signs that your date may become abusive:

  • Extreme jealousy
  • Controlling behavior
  • Quick involvement
  • Unpredictable mood swings
  • Alcohol and drug use
  • Explosive anger
  • Isolates you from friends and family
  • Uses force during an argument
  • Shows hypersensitivity
  • Believes in rigid sex roles
  • Blames others for his problems or feelings
  • Cruel to animals or children
  • Verbally abusive
  • Abused former partners
  • Threatens violence


If you are experiencing Teen Dating Violence you should:

  • Be safe; have an individual safety plan
  • Find support; Talk to someone you trust; you don’t have to go through this alone
  • Document your abuse; date, time, incident, threats, injuries, witnesses, etc.
  • You have choices; talk to our Teen Dating Violence Coordinator
     

If you know someone who is experiencing Teen Dating Violence:

  • Be supportive; let her talk about her situation
  • It’s not her fault; reassure her that she was not responsible for the assault
  • Contact us; we can provide support for you and her


Why does Teen Dating Violence happen?

Teen dating violence is influenced by how teenagers look at themselves and others.

Young men may believe:

  • They have the right to “control their partner in any way necessary
  • “Masculinity” is physical aggressiveness
  • They should and can demand intimacy
  • They may love respect in their male peer groups if they are attentive and supportive towards their partner

Young women may believe:

  • They are responsible for solving problems in their relationships
  • Their partner’s jealousy, possessiveness and even physical abuse is “romantic”
  • Abuse is “normal” because their friends are also being abused
  • They think they can “cure” the abusive partner
  • There is no one to ask for help

Teen dating violence often is hidden because teenagers typically:

  • Are inexperienced with dating relationships
  • Want independence from parents
  • Have romanticized views of love
  • Are pressured by peers to have dating relationships.