Teen Dating Violence

Oklahoma students are at least twice as likely than their fellow students across the country to be physically abused by their boyfriend or girlfriend.
 
In a study conducted in 2000 by the Prevention Division of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health, high school students were asked: "In the past 12 months, did your boyfriend or girlfriend ever hit, slap or physically hurt you on purpose?"  Nationally, 8.8% of students answered 'yes'; however, in Oklahoma, a shocking 19% answered 'yes'. Among ninth-graders alone, the national average to the same question was 7.9%, while the average for Oklahoma's ninth-graders was over three times the national average:  25.7%.

The information in this section is aimed at helping teens identify, prevent, and stop violence in their relationships.

Dating violence is the physical, sexual or emotional maltreatment of a dating partner for the purpose of gaining control and power over that person.