Support for your Teen
Parents play a very important role in ending teen dating abuse. Teens in abusive situations truly need the support of their parents. Even in the rockiest parent-teen relationship, the advice of a parent can make a dramatic difference in a teen’s life. For that reason, it’s imperative that you familiarize yourself with the warning signs of dating abuse and what you can do to help.
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How do I recognize the signs?
An abusive person will do various things to control their partner. A teen experiencing abuse may:
- Make changes in their daily rituals
- Retreat from school or activities
- Experience isolation from friends
- Make changes in clothing
- Wear clothing inappropriate for the weather in order to hide marks
- Have visible marks or bruises
- Spend excessive amounts of time with the person they’re dating
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What can I do to help?
If you notice something has changed, consider talking to your teen:
- Ask questions about your teen’s life
- Listen with an open mind
- Support your teen as they decide what to do
- Open up clear channels of communication
- Be calm and take positive action
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What else can I do?
Communicate with a trained Peer Advocate at loveisrespect, National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline. Contact us at 1-866-331-9474 (1-866-331-8453 TTY) or chat online from 4pm – 2am CST.
