The much-publicized dating violence incident between Chris Brown and Rihanna is again bringing the topic of relationship violence to the forefront. Here are some random thoughts about dating violence from Green Haven:
• It doesn't matter the circumstances or the provocation. Violence is never acceptable.
• There still are many unanswered questions. Chris Brown is entitled to the presumption of innocence, but if he committed violence, he must be held accountable.
• As we extend support and sympathy to Rihanna, let's remember that victims of dating and domestic violence here in Green County need our help as well.
• Like every victim, Rihanna is entitled to privacy. It is appalling that a police photo showing her injuries may have been given to the media for publication.
• Children growing up in violent homes needed support and intervention. If the allegations are true and Chris Brown committed this assault, he may not have gotten the help he needed after witnessing violence as a child. That is true for millions of children growing up in homes in which violence occurs. It needs to change.
• We can all help end dating and domestic violence.
• We can all help teach the next generation that violence is wrong.
• We can all give voice to our belief that relationship violence is never allowable.
• We can all promote training for teachers, health care providers and other potential interveners so they will know how to ask people if they are safe, and intervene if the answer is "no."
• We can all ask Congress to fund the violence prevention programs in the Violence Against Women Act.
Quick Facts on Teen Dating Abuse
According to the 2006 Youth Risk Assessment Survey conducted in Green County, very nearly 10 percent of the responding students replied "yes" when asked: During the past 12 months, did your boyfriend or girlfriend ever hit, slap, or physically hurt you on purpose?
• According to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, women age 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault, and people age 18 and 19 experience the highest rates of stalking.
• Some 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, which far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth. [The National Council on Crime and Delinquency Focus ]
• Nationwide, nearly 1 in 10 high school students (8.9 percent) has been hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds. (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2003)
• One in 5 tweens - age 11 to 14 - say their friends are victims of dating violence and nearly half who are in relationships know friends who are verbally abused. Two in 5 of those ages 11 to 12 say their friends are victims of verbal abuse in relationships. (Teenage Research Unlimited for Liz Claiborne Inc., "Tween and Teen Dating Violence and Abuse Study")
• Teen victims of physical dating violence are more likely than their non-abused peers to smoke, use drugs, engage in unhealthy diet behaviors (taking diet pills or laxatives and vomiting to lose weight), engage in risky sexual behaviors, and attempt or consider suicide. (Silverman, J, Raj A, et al, "Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Use, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality," 2001)
• It doesn't matter the circumstances or the provocation. Violence is never acceptable.
• There still are many unanswered questions. Chris Brown is entitled to the presumption of innocence, but if he committed violence, he must be held accountable.
• As we extend support and sympathy to Rihanna, let's remember that victims of dating and domestic violence here in Green County need our help as well.
• Like every victim, Rihanna is entitled to privacy. It is appalling that a police photo showing her injuries may have been given to the media for publication.
• Children growing up in violent homes needed support and intervention. If the allegations are true and Chris Brown committed this assault, he may not have gotten the help he needed after witnessing violence as a child. That is true for millions of children growing up in homes in which violence occurs. It needs to change.
• We can all help end dating and domestic violence.
• We can all help teach the next generation that violence is wrong.
• We can all give voice to our belief that relationship violence is never allowable.
• We can all promote training for teachers, health care providers and other potential interveners so they will know how to ask people if they are safe, and intervene if the answer is "no."
• We can all ask Congress to fund the violence prevention programs in the Violence Against Women Act.
Quick Facts on Teen Dating Abuse
According to the 2006 Youth Risk Assessment Survey conducted in Green County, very nearly 10 percent of the responding students replied "yes" when asked: During the past 12 months, did your boyfriend or girlfriend ever hit, slap, or physically hurt you on purpose?
• According to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics, women age 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault, and people age 18 and 19 experience the highest rates of stalking.
• Some 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, which far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth. [The National Council on Crime and Delinquency Focus ]
• Nationwide, nearly 1 in 10 high school students (8.9 percent) has been hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds. (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2003)
• One in 5 tweens - age 11 to 14 - say their friends are victims of dating violence and nearly half who are in relationships know friends who are verbally abused. Two in 5 of those ages 11 to 12 say their friends are victims of verbal abuse in relationships. (Teenage Research Unlimited for Liz Claiborne Inc., "Tween and Teen Dating Violence and Abuse Study")
• Teen victims of physical dating violence are more likely than their non-abused peers to smoke, use drugs, engage in unhealthy diet behaviors (taking diet pills or laxatives and vomiting to lose weight), engage in risky sexual behaviors, and attempt or consider suicide. (Silverman, J, Raj A, et al, "Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance Use, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality," 2001)
