In a new survey presented at a meeting by the American Psychological Association on July, 31, 2013, over one third of responding teens said they had been emotionally, physically or sexually abused by a dating partner. The survey also found that boys (37%) were just as likely to be victims as girls (41% ). The data presented are currently under review for publication in a scientific journal and therefore are not generally considered authoritative until reviewed and published.

According to an article in USA Today:

“In the new nationwide survey, which included 1,058 youths ages 14 to 20, 41% of girls and young women and 37% of boys and young men said they had been victims of dating abuse; 35% of girls and 29% of boys said they had physically, emotionally or sexually abused a partner, according to a news release from the association. Girls were more likely to say they had physically abused their partners; boys were “much more likely” to say they had sexually abused someone, the association says. But it did not provide specific numbers on those differences.

The survey also found that 29% of girls and 24% of guys said they had been both victims and abusers, in the same or different relationships.”

To read the entire USA Today article, click here http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/31/teen-dating-violence/2596255/

DASH will publish a link to the entire APA survey as soon as it is published.

The DASH mission to educate teens, their parents and friends on the warning signs of teen dating abuse and healthy relationships is a vital tool in preventing teen dating abuse. If you would like to schedule a presentation at your school or community organization, contact DASH at admin4dash@verizon.net.