JB Van Hollen for Attorney General - Van Hollen Column: Protect teenagers from dating violence

By Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen

February 2010 has been declared "Teen Dating Violence and Awareness Month," the first time the U.S. Congress has designated an entire month to highlighting the importance of preventing and responding to teen dating violence.

Teen dating violence, like its adult version, is the use of power and control that one teenager exerts over another in a dating relationship. The violence may be physical, sexual or emotional, and the effects can be devastating.

According to research compiled by sources including the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the Centers for Disease Control, victims are more likely to use alcohol and drugs, perform poorly at school, attempt to commit suicide, and carry patterns of abuse into future relationships.

The Family Violence Prevention Fund has also published statistics demonstrating the prevalence of teen dating violence. For example, reports reveal that one in three adolescent girls in the United States has been abused in a relationship. Of "tweens" aged 11-14 who have been in a dating relationship, almost two-thirds (62 percent) say they know peers who have been verbally abused by a partner. One in four teens (25 percent) reports having been harassed, insulted or threatened through the use of technology, such as texting, e-mailing or postings on social networking sites

Let us raise our awareness of the dangers of teen dating violence which will allow us to respond, and respond better, when we become more aware of how adolescents are being abused. If you know of a teen who is being hurt, you can:

•Report the abuse to child protection services or to law enforcement if you believe a crime has been committed.

•Listen nonjudgmentally to the teen.

•Be knowledgeable about available resources.

•Recommend and assist with prudent courses of action.

•Assist the teen in seeking out support at their schools, youth organizations, domestic violence organizations, or other community and medical resources.

It is incumbent on all of us to be mindful of and pro-active in preventing teen violence as well. We should remain knowledgeable about and support safe school policies that integrate both victim safety and offender accountability.

As the parent of two youngsters, one now a teen, I also know that we must be vigilant about technological threats aimed at our children and we must monitor our kids' cyber-social activity. Furthermore, we must model healthy and respectful relationships and let our teens know that they deserve no less.

Click here to view the column on the Green Bay Press Gazette Website.