It is estimated that 1 in 4 teens is involved in an abusive relationship. In a 1995 survey conducted by Family Circle and YM magazines, 53% of the teens that responded reported having been abused by their dating partner. In many situations, unfortunately, teens do not recognize they are being abused until serious emotional and/or physical damage is done.

Teen dating violence is similar to adult relationship violence. It includes hitting, yelling, threatening, name calling, and other forms of verbal, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse. The number of incidents and the severity of the abuse increases as the relationship continues. Teen dating violence can be as lethal as domestic abuse. Dating violence affects about one in ten teen couples. Very few teens tell anyone who could help, such as a parent, a teacher, a counselor, or the police.