Dating violence - Wellness & Lifestyle

American Fitness, March-April, 2002

Twenty-four percent of today's teenagers know at least one fellow student who has been struck by someone they were dating, reports a survey commissioned by the Empower Program, a Washington, D.C.-based education organization that works with teens to prevent gender-based violence, and sponsored by Liz Claiborne Inc. Unfortunately, parents are unaware of the prevalence of dating violence. Survey results show that only 8 percent of parents know of anyone who has been physically struck by someone they were dating. Moreover, while 72 percent believe their child would turn to them if confronted with an abusive dating partner, only half of teens said they would talk to a parent. Instead, 78 percent of the teens indicate they would talk to a peer, 20 percent to their guidance counselor or school administrator and 16 percent would speak with a teacher. A mere 36 percent have actually discussed dating violence with their parents.

"There is no substitute for parent-child interaction, particularly when it comes to an issue as important and sensitive as dating violence," says Rosalind Wiseman, co-founder of the Empower Program. "Parents can have a strong, positive influence over their kids well into the teen years."

Liz Claiborne Inc. has produced a dating violence handbook for parents of teens, providing them with the tools they need to better communicate with their children. Included in the handbook are the latest statistics on dating violence, its prevalence among teens and tips on how to start a conversation with your teen regarding dating violence. The booklet also provides Web site addresses and phone numbers for national domestic-violence-prevention organizations.

The handbook is available at www.lizclaiborne.com/loveisnotabuse or by calling (800) 449-STOP (7867).