Statistics, Myths, and Facts
What is dating abuse?
“…a pattern of actual or threatened acts of physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, perpetrated by an adolescent
(between the ages of 13 and 18) against a current or former dating partner” (AIR, 2014).
Dating Abuse Statistics

1 in 3 adolescents is a victim of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from a dating partner (CDC, 2011)

12% of 9th-12th grade girls in the U.S. have been physically forced to have sexual intercourse (CDC, 2011)

15% of Indiana 9th-12th grade girls have been physically forced to have sexual intercourse (St Mary’s College,
2013)

25% of 6th grade boys thought it was ok to hit a girlfriend (Simon, Smith, & Sullivan, 2009)

60% Of Americans KNOW A victim of either or both domestic violence or sexual assault (Avon, 2013)
There is basically NO discussion about DV taking place in this country
–  2 out of 3 Americans (67%) have NOT talked about dv with friends
–  75% of men have not talked about it with their friends
–  Nearly, 60% of women have not talked about it with their friends
– 3 in 4 (73%) parents with children under the age of 18 said that they have
NOT had a conversation with their children about violence in the home (Avon, 2013)

– Less than 1/3 of students in an abusive relationship will tell their parents (Claiborne, 2009)
Myths and Facts of Dating Abuse
1. Boyfriends and girlfriends sometimes push each other around, but it rarely results in anyone getting seriously hurt.
MYTH. Domestic violence is the number one cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 to 44 in the U.S. It
causes more injuries than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined. Of the women murdered each year in the U. S.,
30% are killed by their current or former husband or boyfriend.
2. While females can be abusive and abuse happens in same-sex couples too, it is much more common for males to
abuse their female partners.
FACT. About 90% of known victims of relationship violence are females abused by their male partners. However, little
research has been done on same-sex couples and violence. The research that has been done shows same-sex couples
experience higher rates of violence.
3. Most people will end a relationship if their boyfriend or girlfriend hits them.
MYTH. Nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their
abuser after the onset of violence.
4. People abuse their partners because they can't control their anger.
MYTH. People who abuse others are not usually out of control. They do it to gain power and control over the other
person. They often use tactics besides violence such as threats, intimidation, psychological abuse and isolation from
friends or family to control their partners.
5. Most men who abuse their partner grew up in violent homes.
FACT-ISH. Men who have witnessed violence between parents are three times more likely to abuse their own wives
and children than children of non-violent parents. The sons of the most violent parents are 1,000 times more likely to
become batterers. However, people who grew up in nonviolent homes are also capable of abuse.
6. People who abuse are psychos/crazy.
MYTH. Abusers are normal people that we encounter in everyday life. They can be the smartest, quietest, coolest, or
the best athlete on campus. What they have in common is their inability to control their anger and aggressive impulses.
7. If a person is really being abused, it is easy just to leave.
MYTH. There are many very complicated reasons why it’s difficult for a person to leave an abusive partner. One very
common reason is fear. Women who leave their abusers are at a 75% greater chance of being killed by the abuser than
those who stay.
8. People who are abused often blame themselves for their abuse.
FACT. Most people who are abused blame themselves for causing the violence. However, the fact is that NO ONE is
ever to blame for another person’s violence. Violence is always a choice, and the responsibility is 100% with the
person who is violent.
* From DVAS Website
Works Consulted
American Institute for Research (2014). Get smart get safe. Retrieved from http://www.air.org/
Avon Foundation for Women. (2013). No more domestic violence and sexual assault, survey of attitudes and experiences
of teens and adults. Retrieved from http://www.avonfoundation.org/causes/domestic-violence/
Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J., Smith, S.G., Walters, M.L., Merrick, M.T., . . . Stevens, M.R. (2011). The National
Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance—United States. MMWR
2012;61(No.SS-4).
Davis, Antoinette, MPH. 2008. Interpersonal and Physical Dating Violence among Teens. The National Council on
Crime and Delinquency Focus. Available at
http://www.nccdrc.org/nccd/pubs/Dating%20Violence%20Among%20Teens.pdf.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, (2012). “Myths and Facts about Dating Abuse”. Retrieved from their
website.
National Center for Victims of Crime. (2009). Domestic violence. Retrieved January 29, 2010, from
http://www.victimsofcrime.org/
Schewe, P. A. (2002). Preventing violence in relationships: Interventions across the life span. Arlington: American
Psychological Association.
Simon, T. R., Miller, S.,Gorman-Smith, D., Orpinas, P., Sullivan, T. (2010). Physical dating violence norms and behavior
among sixth-grade students. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 30(3), 395-409, first published on March 30, 2009.
St. Mary of the Wood College, (2013). “Status of Girls in Indiana.” From their website.