By National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
“If no one in your group is talking about it [domestic violence], you’re not addressing it.” – Lisa Nitch, House of Ruth, Maryland
For parents of teenagers and programs working with young fathers, knowing and recognizing the warning signs of unhealthy dating behaviors that can lead to teen dating violence is crucial. This is especially true in the context of a recent national survey in which 1 in 10 teens reported being hit or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend at least once in the last 12 months. What’s more, during the 12 months prior to the survey, 1 in 10 teens reported being touched, kissed, or physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to at least once by someone they were dating.1
What can parents do?
The best thing parents can do is talk to their teens about the importance of healthy, respectful relationships. According to one study, 3 in 4 parents have never talked to their children about domestic violence.2 However, parents truly are in the best position to take action if they think their teen may be in an unhealthy or even dangerous relationship. Parents should be able to recognize warning signs and be ready to listen and give support when their child is ready to open up. It is also important to remember that modeling healthy behaviors begins at home, and parents can set an example for their children whether they are married or not. Tips for starting the conversation can also be found in Break the Cycle’s It’s Time to Talk Week resources.
What can programs do?
Fatherhood programs are in a unique position to address dating violence. This is especially true as many programs work with young, and even teenage, fathers. Creating bridges between the fatherhood program and a domestic violence agency is one key way to do so. Offering education and awareness-building activities to engage program participants is another. The Responsible Fatherhood Toolkit provides information on partnering with domestic violence prevention organizations. There are also sections on engaging men as allies in domestic violence prevention and training staff on domestic violence prevention.
Additional Resources
The following are resources for parents and fatherhood programs related to teen dating violence awareness and prevention:
- Responding to Intimate Violence in Relationship Programs Project from the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation – reports and practice briefs
- Is My Relationship Healthy? – online quiz from loveisrespect.org
- Working with Young Fathers section of the Responsible Fatherhood Toolkit – resources on co-parenting and relationship skills
- A Call to Men – violence prevention organization that works to promote a healthy, respectful manhood
- Get Help for Someone Else: Help My Child – tips and resources for parents from loveisrespect.org
One in four women, and one in seven men, experience domestic violence at the hands of an intimate partner at some time in their lives.3 Increasing awareness of what domestic violence is and how it can present itself, especially in teen dating relationships, is critical for keeping the teens in our lives safe now and in the future.
Additional Resources from the NRFC on addressing domestic violence include:
- April 2014 Webinar: Addressing Domestic Violence: The Role of Fatherhood Programs
- Responsible Fatherhood Toolkit: Addressing Domestic Violence
- Responsible Fatherhood Toolkit: Working with Fathers to Enhance Relationship Skills
- DadTalk Blog Domestic Violence
- For Programs, For Your Fathers, Domestic Violence
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
1 https://www.cdc.gov/features/datingviolence/
2 http://www.nrcdv.org/dvam/tdvam
3 https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/consequences.html
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Originally published on fatherhood.gov [LINk TO ARTICLE] and reprinted from the public domain under the following guidelines.
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