An alarming number of north Iowa teens are reporting they've seen or been the victim of domestic violence. For many of them, that violence is with their significant other. The American Journal of Preventive medicine is releasing a new report in time for "national teen dating violence week." Researchers found that more than eight percent of teens say their boyfriend or girlfriend has hit them.
The days of your first crush, the butterflies, the feeling that this guy or gal must be the one. You're a teen and you're in love, or at least you think you are.
“Maybe their girlfriend calls 13, 14, 15 times a night," said Crisis Intervention Service Mary Ingham.
But they can also struggle separating emotion from proper behavior.
"A lot of teenagers see that and think he does that because he loves me. The reality is we know that's controlling," said Ingham. Mary Ingham with the crisis intervention service says teens may have trouble spotting serious red flags.
"Maybe not realize that it's the beginning of a very dangerous relationship," said Ingham. Ingham says parents can look out for a couple of warning signs. The obvious one is check for bruises. You can also look out for other signs of control issues. Like if your son or daughter always has to explain themselves to their boyfriend or girlfriend. The number one way to keep your teen safe? Proper communication.
"Something I do hear from adolescent is my parents don't listen to me," said mental health intern Claire Brenton.
Brenton is an intern at this local counseling service. She says the pattern of abuse often starts at home.
"I think kids have significant family issues that they are dealing with," said Brenton.
Ingham travels to north Iowa schools and churches in hopes of preventing violence from happening between teens during dating. She says one in ten students in our area report they or a close friend are victims. Her goal is to help them realize it isn’t normal behavior.
"We don't preach to them. It's education and how to keep yourself safer," said Ingham.
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