Make the Connection

Nearly two-thirds (61%) of U.S. teens ages 13 to 18 have had boyfriends or girlfriends. Unfortunately, for many of these teens, these relationships are not always healthy.  

According to a Teen Relationships Abuse Survey conducted by Liz Claiborne, Inc. in 2006:

  • Almost two-thirds (64%) of teens in a dating relationship were dating someone who “acted really jealous and asked where they were all the time.”
  • Nearly half (47%) of teens who have dated have done something that compromised their own values in order to please their partner.
  • One in five  (21%) teens who have been in a dating relationship have been with a partner who tried to prevent them from seeing family or friends.
  • Three out of five (61%) teens who have dated said that they’ve had a boyfriend or girlfriend who made them feel bad or embarrassed about themselves.
  • Nearly one-third (30%) of teens who have been in a dating relationship reported being worried about their personal physical safety in a relationship.
  • A concerning 15% of teens who have been in a relationship have been hit, slapped, or pushed by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Make a Difference

Start by educating yourself and your community:

  • Familiarize yourself with this site and learn how to Step Up and Speak Out to support teens in your family and community.

Step up and get involved:

  • Become a mentor for teens in your community.
  • Create a poster campaign in your community about healthy relationships.
  • Create a public service announcement for your community or use the public service announcements from past Step Up, Speak Out campaigns. 
  • Share information about healthy and unhealthy relationships by implementing the Reaching and Teaching Teens to Stop Violence curriculum in your schools, local youth groups, after school programs, and church groups.  Read more and find out how you can order it for your own community!
  • Participate in your local domestic violence/sexual assault programs awareness activities.  Find the program serving your community.

Speak out and be an active bystander:

  • Step up if you see a teen or adult treating others in a disrespectful manner.
  • Speak out against inappropriate jokes.

Learn more ways to Step Up and Speak Out!