Considerations for the Definition, Measurement, Consequences, and Prevention of Dating Violence Victimization among Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Violence experienced by adolescent girls from their dating partners poses considerable threat to their health and well-being. This report provides an overview of the prevalence and consequences of heterosexual teen dating violence and highlights the need for comprehensive prevention approaches to dating violence. We also discuss some considerations and future directions for the study and prevention of dating violence. We begin with a discussion of the definition of dating violence and also discuss measurement concerns and the need for evaluation of prevention strategies. Although women and men of all ages may be the victims or perpetrators, male-to-female dating violence experienced by adolescent girls is the main focus of this article. We incorporate research regarding girls' perpetration of dating violence where appropriate and as it relates to prevention.

Prevalence and correlates of violence among South African high school learners in uMgungundlovu District municipality, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…[4] In this survey, 21.7% of learners had been absent from school for one or more days because of fear for their safety. [3,13] In the previous national survey on school violence, the rate of physical fights was 6.3%, [3] and in this study, physical fighting tended to increase with age, with learners aged between 18 and 23 years reporting more fights. These results are similar to the previous national survey.…”

“…[13] In this study, 8.3% of the learners reported being victimised by someone they were dating and over a quarter were forced to do sexual things (kissing and touching) by someone they were dating. Of concern in youth/adolescent dating are the consequences of such coercion, including unwanted pregnancy, [13] rape [14] and HIV, [13] especially for female learners, who are at particularly high risk as some are dating older men. [1] There was also an association between missing school and bullying among the learners who indicated being bullied in the past 12 months.…”

“…[12] Girls and boys are not socialised in a similar manner in our societies. [13] For instance, boys are expected to be brave and not to show emotions such as crying, whereas girls are expected to be sensitive and kind. [14] Another explanation for this phenomenon of socialisation is that, generally, older male learners have a bigger …”

Neighborhood-Level Factors Associated with Physical Dating Violence Perpetration: Results of a Representative Survey Conducted in Boston, MA

“…17 The consequences can be severe and long-lasting and may include death, injuries, and mental health disorders. [18][19][20] There is no clear agreement in the field about what constitutes "dating violence." 20,21 According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, partner violence is an appropriate label for any violence between intimate partners, including "one hit that may or may not impact the victim to chronic, severe battering."…”

“…[18][19][20] There is no clear agreement in the field about what constitutes "dating violence." 20,21 According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, partner violence is an appropriate label for any violence between intimate partners, including "one hit that may or may not impact the victim to chronic, severe battering." 22 Data from the National Violence Against Women Survey suggest that most physical assaults perpetrated against women and men by intimate partners consist of non-severe forms of violence such as hitting, pushing, or shoving.…”