Are You A Teenager?
Are you a victim of teen violence?

This girl was...she was shot to death by her boyfriend.

Teen violence can result in serious injury, sometimes death, as in the case of Lisa. Like many young women, Lisa was looking for someone who she could love and someone who would love her.  She put her entire trust in this one person....a person other than herself.
Teen violence including physical, emotional and sexual is a reality for many American teen girls. A reality many friends, siblings and parents are unaware of.    

One in five teens in a serious relationship reports having been hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner.

95% of the time, it is the boyfriend that abuses the girlfriend.

50–80% of teens have reported knowing others who were involved in violent relationships. This is an astounding amount.

Young women, ages 16 to 24 years, experience the highest rates of relationship violence.

Being a victim of dating violence is not your fault. Nothing you say, wear, or do gives anyone the right to hurt you.

If you think you are in an abusive relationship, get help immediately. Don't keep your concerns to yourself, trust your instincts.

Ask yourself some simple questions:  What if your sister were being abused by her boyfriend?  How would you feel?  Would you try to protect her?  What if that boyfriend killed her?  How would you feel?  Now...what if it was 'your' boyfriend abusing 'you'?  Is that different than if it was someone else?  Then ask yourself, how do I expect to be treated?  Am I being treated this way?

Ask yourself some simple questions:  What if your sister were being abused by her boyfriend?  How would you feel?  Would you try to protect her?  What if that boyfriend killed her?  How would you feel?  Now...what if it was 'your' boyfriend abusing 'you'?  Is that different than if it was someone else?  Then ask yourself, how do I expect to be treated?  Am I being treated this way?

The first step is to talk to someone you trust, this could be a friend, relative or even a teacher. Then take their advice…it may save your life.
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 Every teen girl is worth being LOVED properly!  
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National Teen Dating Violence Awareness
 and Prevention Week is February 4-8, 2008.  
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Love Yourself First, You Are Worth it!
Please don’t become another statistic. Become SUCCESSFUL!

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What are some signs of Teen Violence?
'If you answer "Yes" to any of these...you may be a victim of teen violence'....

  Does your partner....
 
Belittle you in front of others?  

Call you names, then tell  you "I was just kidding." 

Tell you your friends or family are against your relationship.

Hide information from you.  (phone calls, etc.)

Get angry when you do something on your own,  or with someone else without them.  

Get jealous when you are around other people, especially of the opposite sex. 

Need to know where you at all times.

Ever hit, punch, kick, slap or pushed you. 

Tell you it is your fault for 'their' anger.

Pressure you into having sex by making you feel quilty if you don't. 

Pressure you into drugs or alcohol(these make you less inhibited, easier to control.)  

Make you feel obsolete or stupid in front of others.  

Make you feel bad about yourself. 

Make you feel ugly or insecure. 

Prefer you to stay home  while they go out. 

Cheat on you. 

Want you to do something illegal. 

Call you names or  tell you your fat.   

Scare you or make you feel like you can't be yourself in front of them.

Call or page you frequently to find out where you are or whom you're with.

Tell you what to wear.

Have to be with you all the time.

Not let you use birth control if your in a sexual relationship.

Anyone can be a victim of violence.  Girls are more likely to yell,  pinch, slap, scratch or kick.  Boys injure girls more and are more likely to kill their partner out of anger.

If you are answering "Yes" to several things and notice that this is YOUR behavior, YOU may be the abuser....................please get the help you need now.

Call your local crisis center or any of the hotline numbers listed below....see where you can get the help to stop your behavior before it is too late.  
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