Teens need protection too: an examination of adolescent safeguards to dating violence.

Trigger Warning: Violence, child abuse, mentions of suicide

The month of February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. In the United States, teen dating violence, both physical and/or sexual, affects one in five girls and one in ten boys. Additionally, acts of physical and sexual violence can progress to the death of teens - one in three girls, aged 11 to 18, is killed by an intimate partner. In 1994, Gretchen Wright was 16 when her 17-year-old boyfriend shot her in Washington, D.C. In 1994, Rosie Vargas was 14 and pregnant when her 16-year-old boyfriend killed her in California. In 2016, Emma Walker, a 16-year-old from Tennessee, was killed by her 18-year-old boyfriend. In 2020, Mya Pena, a Colorado resident, was 17 when her 18-year-old boyfriend killed her. Family and friends have described Gretchen, Rosie, Emma, and Mya as having “picture-perfect” relationships. So, what lies behind the picture?

Teen dating violence involves physical, mental, and sexual abuse between two individuals, one of whom must be under the age of 18. Both individuals are in a relationship, most typically a dating relationship, but could also be relationships of marriage and/or co-parenting. Teen dating violence bears a resemblance to adult domestic violence. Still, teens face more physical violence, peer pressure, and gender role expectations that ‘encourage’ the abuse to continue.

Gretchen Wright believed she was in an exciting and fun relationship until her boyfriend became abusive. When Gretchen tried to end the relationship, he tried to end her life. She fortunately survived. Rosie Vargas, who was pregnant, was shot and killed in front of her family after having just broken up with her boyfriend, who was described as “always [being] drunk.” Emma Walker’s relationship seemed normal to her peers and family until her boyfriend became possessive, restricting her from hanging out with friends or doing activities she usually enjoyed. He began sending threats over messages about ending her life and would excuse his behavior when confronted, saying he “was just angry.” After the murder-suicide of Mya Pena, it came to light that her then-boyfriend and longtime friend was recently being investigated for domestic violence against a former girlfriend and had dropped out of high school a few months prior for mental health reasons.

A picture can only show so much, and what lies behind that picture can be a harsh and silent reality for teens who face many barriers to receiving the help they need. In 2005:

1. 97% of teenagers refused to talk to adults about relationship struggles they were facing and, more often than not, relied on friends who were typically unaware of how to help.

2. Many staff and faculty at schools were unaware of warning signs and resources available to help students due to a lack of training on dating violence.

3. In many states, teens were restricted from obtaining civil orders of protection. When teens did gain the courage to come forward, many abusers would likely only face juvenile court, where the goal was rehabilitation.

These issues are still prevalent today. To help combat some of those barriers, information about hotlines, warning signs, and other educational resources can be posted around schools. In addition, trained professionals can conduct classes and workshops on teen dating violence, providing verbal information on warning signs and resources. These workshops should not be limited to student engagement but should also be a requirement for school staff and faculty.

Legal protections have steadily improved throughout the years. In 1995, 31 states specified that only marriage, co-parenting, or cohabitation relationships were protected under civil protection orders. In 2015, nine states still had that law. In 2022, all states enacted laws to provide a form of protection to juveniles facing dating violence, some with specific restrictions, such as requiring a household adult member to file the petition on their behalf.

It was found that states that provide more manageable and vigorous policies and support for minors in civil protection orders have a lower frequency of teen dating violence cases. In cases where one cannot easily access civil protection orders or an offender violates a civil protection order, it leads to more serious action needing to be taken in the criminal legal system. In most cases, a teen needs protection from another, and the offender is typically adjudicated in juvenile courts over adult courts. In Florida, when a juvenile is adjudicated for domestic violence without a prior record, a court focuses on rehabilitation, placing them on probation, not behind bars. The majority of states follow Florida's analysis. In California, domestic violence is put on a juvenile’s records, and they are required to attend counseling; if a restraining order is not in place, the courts may issue one, and in some cases, a repeat juvenile offender is placed in a juvenile detention facility for some time. Statistically, it is unclear whether rehabilitating juveniles through probation or in a detention center helps protect victims more or at an equal status.

In many cases, “teen dating violence constitutes the first manifestation of the scourge of adult partner violence.” Civil protection orders and the criminal legal system are different pathways for victims to take for protection, but they often work together. When a victim has a civil protection order, it is more than just a paper. It acts as a warning to criminal law enforcement, identifying the wrongs that have already been committed and allowing officers to respond quickly in case of emergency. The law has been transformative over the years for teens to receive protection from dating violence, but the fight is not over. There are still barriers teens face. Key improvements to help teens are increased consistent education in school systems, improvement in reporting mechanisms, and continued legal reform. Teens deserve to be protected: help raise awareness and be a voice for the young.