{"id":3370,"date":"2025-08-06T08:40:05","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T08:40:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/?page_id=3370"},"modified":"2026-10-12T13:07:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T13:07:34","slug":"teen-dating-violence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/teen-dating-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"Teen Dating Violence"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Because love should never hurt.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Teen dating violence is a serious issue that affects many young people across the UK. It refers to any form of <\/span>controlling, abusive, or aggressive behaviour<\/b> within a romantic or intimate relationship. This abuse can be <\/span>physical, emotional, sexual, financial<\/b>, or <\/span>digital<\/b>, and it affects both <\/span>heterosexual<\/b> and <\/span>LGBTQIA+<\/b> young people.<\/span><\/p>

Whether you’re just starting to date or are in a long-term relationship, you deserve to feel <\/span>safe<\/b>, <\/span>respected<\/b>, and <\/span>valued<\/b>\u2014never scared, isolated, or harmed.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

What Is Teen Dating Violence?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Teen dating violence can happen in person or online and often starts subtly before escalating. It includes:<\/span><\/p>

  • Physical violence<\/b>: hitting, shoving, grabbing, or threatening harm<\/span><\/li>
  • Emotional abuse<\/b>: insults, guilt-tripping, humiliation, intimidation<\/span><\/li>
  • Sexual abuse<\/b>: being pressured or forced to engage in sexual activity<\/span><\/li>
  • Financial control<\/b>: stealing money or controlling spending<\/span><\/li>
  • Digital abuse<\/b>: sending abusive messages, stalking via social media, or demanding access to your phone or passwords<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

    Technology like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, or WhatsApp can make abuse harder to spot but just as dangerous. It may look like constant messaging, checking your online activity, or controlling who you talk to.<\/span><\/p>

    \u201cHe\u2019d check my location and say it was just love. But I felt scared to leave the house without telling him. That wasn\u2019t love\u2014that was control.\u201d<\/span>
    <\/span>\u2014 <\/span>Ava, 16<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Teen Dating Abuse: The Facts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • Around <\/span>1 in 3 teens<\/b> report experiencing <\/span>physical, emotional, or verbal abuse<\/b> from a dating partner.<\/span><\/li>
    • 60% of teens<\/b> tell a friend\u2014but <\/span>only 3%<\/b> tell an adult or authority figure.<\/span><\/li>
    • Survivors of dating violence are at greater risk of <\/span>mental health issues<\/b>, <\/span>eating disorders<\/b>, <\/span>binge drinking<\/b>, and <\/span>self-harm<\/b>.<\/span><\/li>
    • Abuse can begin as early as <\/span>secondary school<\/b>, often disguised as jealousy or care.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t

      Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      You may be in an unhealthy or abusive relationship if your partner:<\/span><\/p>

      • Gets angry when you speak to others<\/span><\/li>
      • Tries to control what you wear or where you go<\/span><\/li>
      • Checks your phone or social media without consent<\/span><\/li>
      • Pressures you into sex or other activities<\/span><\/li>
      • Blames you for their moods or mistakes<\/span><\/li>
      • Threatens to hurt you, themselves, or someone you care about<\/span><\/li>
      • Makes you feel guilty when you say \u201cno\u201d or try to set boundaries<\/span><\/li><\/ul>

        If any of this sounds familiar, <\/span>you are not alone\u2014and it\u2019s not your fault<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t

        What Healthy Love Looks Like<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t
        <\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        A healthy relationship should feel like:<\/span><\/p>

        • Trust<\/b>: You feel safe and respected<\/span><\/li>
        • Equality<\/b>: Decisions are made together<\/span><\/li>
        • Consent<\/b>: Your boundaries are always honoured<\/span><\/li>
        • Support<\/b>: You lift each other up, not tear each other down<\/span><\/li>
        • Freedom<\/b>: You keep your own friends, interests, and identity<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t

          How We Support Young People<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          At <\/span>Rosa Women\u2019s Lives Matter<\/span><\/i>, we provide <\/span>confidential, youth-friendly support<\/b> for teens experiencing dating abuse. Our team can help you:<\/span><\/p>

          • Recognise signs of abuse<\/span><\/li>
          • Create a <\/span>safety plan<\/b> tailored to your needs<\/span><\/li>
          • Access <\/span>emotional support<\/b> or <\/span>therapeutic counselling<\/b><\/li>
          • Report abuse to school safeguarding teams or police (if you choose to)<\/span><\/li>
          • Get help with online abuse or stalking<\/span><\/li>
          • Find inclusive support for <\/span>LGBTQ+ relationships<\/b><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t

            In Immediate Danger?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t
            \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
            • Call <\/span>999<\/b> if you\u2019re at risk<\/span><\/li>
            • Text <\/span>999<\/b> if you can’t speak (register your phone in advance)<\/span><\/li>
            • \u200dVisit a local <\/span>pharmacy or GP<\/b> and ask for a \u201cSafe Space\u201d<\/span><\/li>
            • Speak to a trusted teacher, youth worker, or school nurse<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t\t

              You're Not Alone<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

              You deserve to feel loved, safe, and respected\u2014<\/span>not controlled, threatened, or hurt<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

              \u201cI thought I had to stay because no one would believe me. But someone did. And that changed everything.\u201d<\/span>
              <\/span>\u2014 <\/span>Kai, 17<\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

              \n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t\t

              For Schools, Youth Workers & Parents<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t
              \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

              We also offer resources and training to help adults recognise and respond to teen dating violence:<\/span><\/p>

              • Workshops for secondary schools and youth groups<\/span><\/li>
              • Educational toolkits for teachers<\/span><\/li>
              • Guidance for parents on how to talk to teens about healthy relationships<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Because love should never hurt. Teen dating violence is a serious issue that affects many young people across the UK. It refers to any form of controlling, abusive, or aggressive behaviour within a romantic or intimate relationship. This abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or digital, and it affects both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ young […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3370","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3370","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3370"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3370\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sntnetwork.org.uk\/DV\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3370"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}