DATING VIOLENCE--WARNING SIGNS,

HELP NUMBERS, & Helpful Web Sites

Disclaimer: Online information found here is made available so that individuals may find out whether consultation with a counselor or doctor may be helpful. This is a help site and is not intended to provide treatment, diagnosis, or consultation. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

 

What are the dating violence warning signs?*

 

Teenagers generally do not tell people when they are involved in a violent relationship, so it is important for adults to be alert for signs that a teen may be involved in a relationship that is, or has the potential to become abusive. Some of the following signs are just part of being a teenager. But, when these changes happen suddenly, or without an explanation, there may be cause for concern.

 

         --Does the individual have unexplained bruises, scratches, or injuries?

         --Do you see the signs that the individual is afraid of his/her boyfriend or girlfriend?

         --Does the boyfriend or girlfriend seem to try to control the individualÕs behavior, making all of the decisions, checking up on his/her behavior, demanding to know who the individual has been with, and acting jealous and possessive?

         --Does the boyfriend or girlfriend lash out, criticize, or insult the individual?

         --Does the individual apologize for the boyfriend or girlfriendÕs behavior to you and others? Has the individual casually mentioned the boyfriend or girlfriendÕs temper or violent behavior, but then laughed it off as a joke?

--Have you seen the boyfriend/girlfriend abusive toward other people or things?

         --Does the individual seem to have lost interest or to be giving up things that were once important? Has he/she lost interest in school or other activities?

         --Has the individualÕs appearance or behavior changed suddenly?

         --Has the individual stopped spending time with friends and family?

         --Have you seen sudden changes in the individualÕs mood or personality? Is the individual becoming anxious or depressed, acting out, or being secretive? Is the individual avoiding eye contact, having Ôcrying jagsÕ or getting ÔhystericalÕ?

         --Has the individual recently started using alcohol or drugs?

 

*ÓTeen Dating ViolenceÓ; www.safeyouth.org

 

 

 

 

HELP NUMBERS

For help or more information contact any of the following individuals, groups, or agencies:

 

 

--Guidance Counselors—

High School 

Middle School
Elementary

--Family physician or local/area clinic

--Mental Health Center of North Iowa— 641-424-2075, 1-800-700-4692

 

--Family services, social agencies, or clergy

--Check the phone book under Òmental healthÓ, ÒhealthÓ, Òsocial servicesÓ, ÒhotlinesÓ or ÒphysiciansÓ for phone numbers and addresses. 

An emergency room doctor also can provide temporary help and can tell you where and how to get further help.

 

 

FOR AFTER HOURS HELP CALL:

24 Hours Daily—Confidential--Free

         National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

  

Teen Help Line: 1-800-443-8336

 

Teen Help Line is not a crisis or ÒhotlineÓ. The line provides health information & referral services for Iowa teens.

 

If you are thinking of harming yourself or know someone who is, tell someone who can help immediately.

--Call your doctor.
--Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help or ask a friend or family member to help you do these things.
--Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline number for the
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
--Make sure you or the suicidal person is not left alone.

 

 

CRISIS HELPLINES

 

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
A hotline for victims of domestic and family violence at home, and concerned family and friends.

 

National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)
This hotline connects sexual assault victims to local rape crisis centers.


 

 

 

 

Helpful Links with More Information

 

American Psychiatric Association (APA)

www.healthyminds.org/factsheets/LTF-DomesticViolence.pdf

 

Dating Violence, Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence

www.acadv.org/dating.html

 

National Center for Victims of Crime

www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbName=DocumentViewer&DocumentID=37939

 

WomenÕs Coalition of St. Croix

www.wcstx.com/teendatv.htm

 

The Safe Space

www.thesafespace.org/the-basics.html

 

Love is Not Abuse

www.loveisnotabuse.com/teen_10warningsigns.htm

 

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

www.safeyouth.org/scripts/topics/dateviolence.asp

 

 

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