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Teen Dating & Domestic Violence
Estimates
from national studies of teen dating indicate that 28% of teen
relationships involve violence.
Dating
violence is any form of emotional, verbal, psychological, physical, or
sexual abuse by a romantic partner. Victims often experience abuse
that gets more severe over time as the abuser tries to control or
dominate them.
Characteristics of an abusive relationship can include:
- Jealousy and
possessiveness
- Name-calling and putdowns
- Controlling behavior
- Pressure to engage in activities (sexual or other)
- Physical threats to hurt you or themselves
- Choking, strangling, or other injurious behavior
Fear,
threats, shame, and the belief that an abuser’s behavior will change
often contribute to the victim feeling unsure about talking to someone
about his or her situation. It is important to remember that there is
help available. No one deserves to feel unsafe in a romantic
relationship.
Resources that can assist:
If you are in immediate danger,
please call 911.
You can call Teen Link
at 206.461.4922 or 1.866.TEENLINK Toll Free
If calling
from outside Washington state – toll free 1-877-968-8454
TDD / TTY (for
the deaf or hard of hearing) 206.461.3219
or, you can email us at
Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline (24 Hours) - (800) 562-6025
Eastside Domestic Violence Crisis Line (24 Hours) - (425) 746-1940
www.edvp.org
Youth
Eastside Services - Dating Violence Program - (425) 747-4937
www.youtheastsideservices.org
NW
Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse -
(206) 568-7777
http://nwnetwork.org
Asian &
Pacific Islander Women & Family Safety Center -(206) 467-9976
www.apiwfsc.org
DAWN-
Domestic Abuse Women's Network - (425) 656-7867
www.dawnonline.org
Rape & Sexual Assault
Approximately 44% of people who are victims of a sexual assault are
under the age of 18. (Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and
Traumatic Stress)
If you or
someone you love has been the victim of a rape or sexual assault, it
is important to go to the emergency department of your local hospital
as soon as possible. The victim should not take a shower, clean up, or
change their clothes. At the hospital, a social worker will discuss
options and allow the victim to decide if a specialized nurse or
doctor should collect evidence (the first examination is free of
charge). The doctor will discuss medications that are available to
reduce the chances of contracting an STD or getting pregnant. If the
crime is against a person under the age of 18, the law requires the
police be notified. However, going to the hospital and submitting a
report does NOT mean that charges must be filed against the
perpetrator or that participation in a legal case must occur.
Counselors can talk about available alternatives and help the victim
decide what the best choice is going to be for the individual.
Resources that can assist:
I f you are in immediate danger,
please call 911.
Child Protective
Services (24 Hours) - (800) 562-5624
www.dshs.wa.gov
Children’s
Response Center (East King Co.) - (425) 688-5130
www.childrensresponsecenter.org
Communities
Against Rape & Abuse (CARA) - (206) 322-4856
www.cara-seattle.org
Harborview
Center for Sexual Assault & Traumatic Stress - (206) 521-1800
www.harborview.org
Evenings & weekends - (206) 731-3000
Incest Survivors
Anonymous Support group - (206) 903-9427
King County
Sexual Assault Resource Center 24-Hour Crisis Line - (800) 825-7273
www.kcsarc.org
After business hours calls are answered by
the 24-Hour Crisis Line.
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