Truth/Myth Teen Dating Violence

Drugs/Alcohol cause someone to be violent?

• Truth

• Myth

Teen dating violence occurs as young as 12 years old (5th or 6th grade)

• Truth

• Myth

Answer explanation

Violent behavior often begins between 6th and 12th grade. 72% of 13 and 14 years olds are dating.

Women are victims of violence more than men

• Truth

• Myth

Answer explanation

The U.S. Bureau of Justice reports that 95% of reported incidents of assaults committed in relationships are committed by men.

Jealousy and possessiveness are a sign of caring and true love

• Truth

• Myth

Most of the time abusers will not get better because it's a learned behavior from things that happened in their childhood or things that they've seen, which cannot be unlearned

• Truth

• Myth

Answer explanation

Although it is uncommon for an abusive person to change and unlearn the behavior, if they acknowledge the behavior and want to change they can. However, they have to want to do it themselves.

Teens who suffer dating abuse tend to display risky behaviors such as alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior

• Truth

• Myth

If an abused person stays in a relationship then it must not be that bad

• Truth

• Myth

Answer explanation

Abused people stay in relationships for a number of reasons (fear, economic dependence, confusion, loss of self-confidence, not recognizing that what's happening is abuse)

Teen dating violence is different from adult dating violence because it doesn't have the physical abuse component

• Truth

• Myth

Teens who have been abused hesitate to seek help because they do not want to expose themselves or are unaware of the laws surrounding domestic violence

• Truth

• Myth