Teen Dating Violence Up In Recession

Study: Teens In Households Suffering From Economic Downturn Increasingly Facing Violence In Relationships

(CBS)  A new study says teen dating violence is on the rise -- and it may have something to do with the recession.

On The Early Show, as part of the special series called "CBS Reports: Children of the Recession," CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller reported that a study released by Liz Claiborne and The Family Violence Prevention Fund shows an increase in teen dating violence -- directly tied to the economic downturn.

The study says nearly one-in-three teens reports being the victim of verbal, physical or sexual abuse. Nearly one-in-four says they’ve been harassed by e-mail or text messaging. Nearly half of the respondents report being controlled, threatened or pressured to do things against their will.

"Families in economic distress are themselves experiencing higher rates of violence," said Kiersten Stewart, of the Family Violence Prevention Fund, "and teens in those same households are also experiencing much higher rates of dating violence in their own relationships."

And that’s the case for 18-year-old Whitley-Ann, whose last name CBS News is not disclosing. She told Miller she was abused by her former boyfriend.

"He bruised me. I was bruised for days," she said. "I didn’t want people to not like him, because I knew I was going back to him."

And like many victims in the study, Whitley-Ann was too scared to tell anyone close to her.

"A lot of people don’t know when they’re in an abusive relationship," Whitley-Ann says. "They’re in denial, like I was."

Whitley-Ann has been free of her abuser for six months, and plans to attend college this fall.

But for those still in abusive relationships, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton offered some tips on The Early Show Wednesday on ways to get help.

She recommended talking to someone close to you, such as a friend, a guidance counselor, a parent, or a relative.

"If you don’t tell anyone, you can’t get help," Ashton said.

The hope, Ashton explained, is that the person will do an intervention or tell someone else what is going on.

The second tip for teens is to not get in a dangerous situation.

"You have to anticipate what logistical situations could arise that could be actually compromising and endangering ... your health," she said. " ... You always have to prepare for the worst-case scenario."

Ashton said teens shouldn't go anywhere alone: Don’t go into the woods, into a car with someone or into someone’s home where there’s no one else around.

Another thing to remember, Ashton noted, is to not blame yourself.

"People who are victims of domestic violence are victims," she said. "They didn’t ask for it. It’s not their fault. And that sense of blame can really add to the problem."

Ashton said parents should also be on the lookout for their kids’ safety.

She said signs of trouble can be subtle, such as your child suddenly wearing inappropriate clothing. "If it’s warm weather, and suddenly you’re (seeing your child) wearing sweat pants and long sleeve shirts, that might be a warning sign," Ashton said.

She added that drastic changes in behavior, such as crying all the time or withdrawing from friends and family, may also be red flags.

Ashton also suggested keeping the lines of communication open between parents and children.

"We need to stress to everyone that, starting at an early age, the key to a healthy relationship is mutual respect. ... (But) any relationship where there is violence and hurt and shame, whether it’s emotional or physical, is not a healthy one."

Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen pointed out that the abuse also needs to be reported.

Ashton agreed, saying parents need to educate children from an early age about abusive situations and what they can do about them.

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Teen Dating Violence Resources

MADE (Moms and Dads for Education)
The movement has thousands of members who join MADE to make a difference for their kids and ensure that there is education in the schools on teen dating violence and abuse. It was started by Liz Claiborne partnering with the National Association of Attorneys General and the National Foundation of Women Legislators.

MADE fact sheet

RESPECT is a campaign by Macy’s to ensure that parents and coaches have the resources they need to talk to their kids about teen dating violence and abuse.

RESPECT fact sheet

Both Web sites offer significant resources and help for parents who don’t know what to do.

[eferrell2]

No, the problem is that parents ARE teaching the kids - the wrong things.

[sean58z]

Teen Women mistakenly date lazy homosexuals. If Women do not provide them with money, then there are physical attacks and sexual abuse. A smart move is cutting loose the parasite losers.

[GTR5]

The recession is terrible and stressful for all but it has nothing to do with young thugs being thugs. This is the fault of parents, or lack of a parent, in not teaching their childrfen how to behave properly with others in our society.

[blog_fever2]

The problem is the parents are not teaching the kids anymore and this is the result.

[moral-freefall]

When young men use pornography as a baseline with which to relate to young women, we will have problems. The internet presents many problems with youth who are unsupervised and parents that are naive. If 50% of the fathers can't have sustainable marriages, then I would say that as a whole, young men don't have something of quality to model from and cerntainly no good reference point with which to take up with. It's a mistake to think that self gratifying, self indulgent sex would be an acceptable substitute to a whole, loving and intimate relationship within the bounds of marriage.

[chele419]

my son is going thru a similar situatuion he was the one with the bruises and cuts and scrapes and lying to us about how he got hurt he was with an abusive girl who he is no longer with i am very thankful for but she is still spreading her lies and we are going to court every time we turn around simply because she is a girl and has the pity of the judge IT IS WRONG SHE HAS DONE 3 BOYS LIKE THIS AND STILL HAS CREDIBLITY the law need to be changed where :abuse" has to be proved not just simply her word she has no proof or anything and we have prooved her out to be a liar twice before you automatically make the young man guilty hear both sides and demand proof.... peoples words do not mean anything anymore........

[sam-kiley]

bonsoir,
il est vrai que la recession participe a l'augmentation des maux sociaux, mais les parents aussi ont une trés grande part de responsabilité, ils sont pour la plus part absents, quand a l'education de leur enfants, leur suivi (leur surveillance) c'est le laisser aller total,le plus souvent les enfants sont livrés a eux memes, vulnérables.

[count_slapula]

These are the children of soulless late-80s yuppies. "I can't have nice things anymore... I need to beat someone up."

Well done on the child-rearing Yuppies! (Yes, you're still morally bankrupt)