MONROE - One in four teen relationships are abusive, according to Green Haven Family Advocates.
Chandra, an employee at Green Haven who works with people who are abused, said the nature of teen relationship abuse differs from adult cases. She asked that her last name not be used because of the nature of her work. Chandra has been with Green Haven for eight years.
"With adults, the abused person is more often a female. In teen relationships, it's even between boys and girls," she said.
A guy who doesn't want his girlfriend to spend time with her friends, or a girl who wants to know where her boyfriend is at all times could be showing signs of manipulation, Chandra said.
"They don't realize they are trying to control someone," she said.
Teens also feel pressured to stay in an unhealthy relationship, she added.
"In teen relationships, the person's friends are friends with the boyfriend or girlfriend," she said.
Teens sometimes feel pressured to stay with a boyfriend or girlfriend because of social status pressure. The guy might be the captain of a sports team or the girl could be a cheerleader, and that could make it difficult for a teen to end the relationship, Chanrda said.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. While it might be a time to focus on the problem, it's something people should think about throughout the year, Chandra said.
"Teen dating violence is one of the least recognized forms of domestic violence, because many teens do not come forward," said Patti Seger, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Teens view and learn about relationships by watching adults, Green Haven Executive Director Alice Franks-Gray said.
"If they see domestic violence at home, they think it's appropriate behavior," she said. "They don't have a clear understanding about healthy relationships."
It's important that teens learn boundaries, Chandra said. It's also important they learn about healthy relationships, she added.
According to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner. Nearly 80 percent of these students will continue to date their abusers, and two-thirds of victims will not tell anyone about the abuse.
Green Haven operates a workshop at Monroe High School for students who want to learn about abuse and how to avoid abusive relationships. The workshop began in 2004 with 35 students. The program tries to help teens avoid becoming a victim as well as a victimizer.
Last year, the workshop involved about 100 students. The workshop included such things as communication, identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships, and texting abuse.
Green Haven expanded the program in 2006 to include Albany High School students.
For more information about abuse, contact Green Haven Family Advocates at 325-7711, toll free at (800) 836-9788, or the group's Web site at www.greenhaven4help.com.
Chandra, an employee at Green Haven who works with people who are abused, said the nature of teen relationship abuse differs from adult cases. She asked that her last name not be used because of the nature of her work. Chandra has been with Green Haven for eight years.
"With adults, the abused person is more often a female. In teen relationships, it's even between boys and girls," she said.
A guy who doesn't want his girlfriend to spend time with her friends, or a girl who wants to know where her boyfriend is at all times could be showing signs of manipulation, Chandra said.
"They don't realize they are trying to control someone," she said.
Teens also feel pressured to stay in an unhealthy relationship, she added.
"In teen relationships, the person's friends are friends with the boyfriend or girlfriend," she said.
Teens sometimes feel pressured to stay with a boyfriend or girlfriend because of social status pressure. The guy might be the captain of a sports team or the girl could be a cheerleader, and that could make it difficult for a teen to end the relationship, Chanrda said.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. While it might be a time to focus on the problem, it's something people should think about throughout the year, Chandra said.
"Teen dating violence is one of the least recognized forms of domestic violence, because many teens do not come forward," said Patti Seger, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Teens view and learn about relationships by watching adults, Green Haven Executive Director Alice Franks-Gray said.
"If they see domestic violence at home, they think it's appropriate behavior," she said. "They don't have a clear understanding about healthy relationships."
It's important that teens learn boundaries, Chandra said. It's also important they learn about healthy relationships, she added.
According to the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner. Nearly 80 percent of these students will continue to date their abusers, and two-thirds of victims will not tell anyone about the abuse.
Green Haven operates a workshop at Monroe High School for students who want to learn about abuse and how to avoid abusive relationships. The workshop began in 2004 with 35 students. The program tries to help teens avoid becoming a victim as well as a victimizer.
Last year, the workshop involved about 100 students. The workshop included such things as communication, identifying healthy and unhealthy relationships, and texting abuse.
Green Haven expanded the program in 2006 to include Albany High School students.
For more information about abuse, contact Green Haven Family Advocates at 325-7711, toll free at (800) 836-9788, or the group's Web site at www.greenhaven4help.com.