Teen Dating Violence

Key points

  • Teen dating violence, also called "dating violence," is an adverse childhood experience that affects millions of young people in the United States.
  • Teen dating violence is preventable, and resources are available for teens, families, schools, and communities.
Teen couple kissing

Overview

Dating violence can take place in person, online, or through technology. It is a type of intimate partner violence that can include the following types of behavior:

  • Physical violence is when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force.
  • Sexual violence involves forcing or attempting to force a partner into sexual acts or touching without their consent, including situations where the partner cannot consent. It also includes non-physical behaviors, like sharing sexual images or sexting without consent.
  • Psychological aggression is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm a partner mentally or emotionally and exert control over a partner.
  • Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a current or former partner that causes fear or safety concerns for an individual victim or someone close to the victim.

Teen dating violence profoundly impacts lifelong health, opportunity, and wellbeing. Unhealthy relationships can start early and last a lifetime. The good news is violence is preventable, and we can all help young people grow up violence-free.

Quick facts and stats

Teens often think some behaviors, like teasing and name-calling, are a "normal" part of a relationship. However, these behaviors can become abusive and develop into serious forms of violence. Many teens do not report unhealthy behaviors because they are afraid to tell family and friends.

Teen dating violence is common. Data from CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2021 indicated that among U.S. high school students who reported dating during the 12 months before the survey:

  • About 1 in 12 experienced physical dating violence.1
  • About 1 in 10 experienced sexual dating violence.1

Some teens are at greater risk than others. Female students experienced higher rates of physical and sexual dating violence than male students.1

Outcomes

Unhealthy, abusive, or violent relationships can have short-and long-term negative effects on a developing teen. Youth who are victims of teen dating violence are more likely to:234

  • Experience depression and anxiety symptoms.
  • Engage in unhealthy behaviors, like using tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.
  • Exhibit antisocial behaviors, like lying, theft, bullying, or hitting.
  • Think about suicide.

Violence in an adolescent relationship sets the stage for future relationship problems. These problems can include intimate partner violence and sexual violence perpetration and/or victimization later. For example, youth who are victims of dating violence in high school are at higher risk for victimization during college.5

Prevention

Supporting healthy relationships could reduce teen dating violence and prevent its harmful, long-lasting effects on individuals, their families, and their communities. During the pre-teen and teen years, it is critical for youth to begin learning skills to create and maintain healthy relationships. This includes skills like managing feelings and communicating in a healthy way. Research emphasizes the need for prevention efforts that address the unique needs of teens at higher risk of experiencing dating violence.1

CDC has resources to help communities focus their prevention efforts on what works to address risk and protective factors for violence. For example, Dating Matters® is a comprehensive prevention model that teaches 11–14-year-olds how to have healthy, safe relationships. Programs for youth include interactive lessons on understanding feelings, healthy communication, unhealthy and unsafe relationships, and other topics. Dating Matters also includes programs for parents, educators, and older youth to help build protective environments and change social norms.

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Content Source:
  1. Clayton HB, Kilmer G, DeGue S, Estefan LF, Le VD, Suarez NA, Lyons BH, & Thornton JE (2023). Dating Violence, Sexual Violence, and Bullying Victimization Among High School Students -Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2021. MMWR supplements, 72(1), 66–74. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7201a8
  2. Foshee VA, McNaughton Reyes HL, Gottfredson NC, Chang LY, Ennett ST. (2013). A longitudinal examination of psychological, behavioral, academic, and relationship consequences of dating abuse victimization among a primarily rural sample of adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health; 53(6):723-729.
  3. Roberts TA, Klein JD, Fisher S. (2003). Longitudinal effect of intimate partner abuse on high-risk behavior among adolescents. Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine; 157(9):875-881.
  4. Exner-Cortens D, Eckenrode J, Rothman E. (2003). Longitudinal associations between teen dating violence victimization and adverse health outcomes. Pediatrics; 131(1):71-78.
  5. Smith PH, White JW, Holland LJ. (2003). A longitudinal perspective on dating violence among adolescent and college-age women. American Journal of Public Health; 93(7):1104–1109.