Teen dating violence: What parents need to know | Forensic Files

Dating violence is a real issue that can happen in any community, no matter how unprobable it might seem. If we can
prevent it, that's our main goal. Breakup violence can definitely happen to anyone, especially teens. So, be
aware of who you're with. A healthy relationship should never include any sort of abuse. Healthy
relationships include love, care, communication, and honesty. trust, loyalty, equality. The two partners are
best friends and they're they enjoy being around each other and they're not afraid to tell each other anything
whether it's good or bad. They have respect for each other and they're constantly um trying to lift each other
up instead of tear each other down. Unhealthy relationships are when the person you're in a relationship with
starts to control your life. always needs to know where you are, what you're doing, who you're with. Some of the
warning signs could be depression, withdrawing from normal activities, and if the relationship seems to be taking
hold of their entire life, something more like psychological or emotional abuse, which kind of looks more like a
fear around their partner, a timidness, constantly bickering, constantly fighting. A partner can even bully their
their partner by simply saying like you're too fat and constantly feeling like you're not good enough. Unhealthy
relationships include feeling threatened by your significant other. You should never be afraid of the person you
love. These days, social media has a great impact on relationships where nothing is ever private. It's really
scary to know that you can't really break up without everybody knowing about it. You can make your relationship as
public as you want it to be just with a click of a button. Automatically it's on
Facebook, Twitter, and it can be some sort of embarrassing story. Something you might not say to your partner um in
person. You might say over the internet or via text message. You don't have to see how they respond if you say
something uh that's mean. You just have to kind of type it. Anyone can access it. It's just hurtful.
A breakup is always a hard time, but there's other factors that people need to worry about like um that both people
um in the relationship are safe. Before you break up with someone, you should have support by either a friend or
family member in case something ever goes wrong. You should always break up with someone in a safe environment and
tell someone that you trust. You should always make sure people will be around and that way someone knows where you are
and what you're doing. I feel like we're making a difference because we don't want any more fathers losing their
little girls to dating violence. It was always my fault. He blamed me for everything. Maybe if you just shut up
and do what I say, we wouldn't be having this fight. Hey sis, why aren't you at practice? Field hockey is your favorite.
I couldn't go to practice today. I had to hang out with my boyfriend. She wouldn't leave him alone. She was
constantly calling and texting me wanting to know where I was every second. Why aren't you wearing that
shirt tonight? I thought it was your favorite. I'm not going to wear that anymore. My boyfriend gets really mad.
Sarah, are you all right? Where did you get those bruises? He hit me. But I know
it's not his fault. I made him mad. I know he's really stressed right now, but I know he still loves me.

Massachusetts teens from Lincoln Sudbury High School's Mentors in Violence Prevention, Boston's Start Strong program and Shawsheen Regional Technical High School talk about healthy relationships, how to breakup safely, and the subtle warning signs for parents.

Brief Summary

The episode covers dating violence, relationship dynamics, and safe breakup practices.

Key points

Understanding Healthy Relationships. Healthy relationships are built on love, care, and respect, not fear or control.
Warning Signs of Unhealthy Relationships. Recognizing the signs of control and emotional abuse is crucial for safety.
The Impact of Social Media. Social media complicates breakups, making private matters public and hurtful.
Breaking Up Safely. Ensure safety and support when ending a relationship to prevent violence.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

You should never be afraid of the person you love.

1:30WatchOct 27, 2013

More from 48 Hours

Solve the Crime

Read a real case one clue at a time, then see how your call held up against the investigators.