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Adolescent Relationship Violence

Increasing Understanding to Enhance Intervention

by Linda Baker, Anna-Lee Straatman & Cindy Male (2002). A resource funded by Ontario's Ministry of Community, Family and Children's Services.

Many teenage students report some form of violence in their dating relationships, either as a victim or a perpetrator. Yet, the existence and impact of teen dating violence is often under-recognized and minimized both by young people and the adults who could offer support. This SIGMA booklet includes information on healthy and unhealthy adolescent relationships, the warning signs of teen dating violence, why it is difficult to leave an abusive relationship, and intervention strategies.

Table of Contents

• Relationship violence is...

• The scope of the problem

• Impacts of relationship violence

• Adolescent relationships

• How does adolescent relationship violence compare with intimate partner abuse between adults?

• Who is at risk of being involved in an abusive relationship?

• Implications for youth in custody or in conflict with the law

• What do abusive adolescents look like?

• Reciprocal violence

• Why it is it difficult for adolescents to leave abusive relationships?

• Interventions -- what can you do?

• Model and Foster Skills for Healthy Relationships

  • Assertive communication skills

  • Communicating "no" -- refusal strategies

  • Delay strategies

  • Negotiation skills - finding a decision that is acceptable to both parties

• Key messages for teens

• Empower adolescents

• Resources

• References

Ordering Information

Copies can be ordered. See our Publication Order Form for more information.

SIGMA Series

Check out the other four booklets in the SIGMA series:

• Conferencing for Youth

• Peer-to-Peer Aggression in Residential Settings ---> available for download

• Adolescent Depression and Suicide

• Ambiguous Loss in Adolescents ---> available for download