A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that one in five high school girls has been abused by a dating partner. Unfortunately, parents are often unaware their daughter is being abused.
More than 80 percent of parents do not even acknowledge teen dating violence as an issue. The majority of parents said they have never discussed dating violence with their child, and only 8 percent know of a student at their child's school who has been physically assaulted by someone they were dating.
Nearly 80 percent of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abuser.
It's not always easy to recognize if a teen is in a violent relationship. Surprisingly, abusers are often charming in public, especially to the girl's parents -- so pay closer attention to how he treats your daughter and less to how polite he may be to you.
Source:
Post-Tribune
http://www.post-trib.com/lifestyles/2293450,tween0521.article
