Success Story: “Jane”

After attending two Leaders of Courage programs, a youth participant, “Jane”, recognized that she was in an unhealthy relationship. While no longer in the relationship, her former boyfriend was becoming increasingly aggressive. Through the Leaders of Courage program, the teenager recognized the signs of an abusive relationship. After safety planning with the student, the advocate followed up, citing that the young woman still continued to attend the groups. “Jane” became a leader among her peers and a strong proponent for the success of the Leaders of Courage program.

Adults are not the only victims of domestic violence: teenagers, elementary school children, and toddlers also suffer from the effects. “Jane” showed great fortitude and strength, which allowed her to become empowered and a leader for others.

Facts about dating abuse and teen violence/retrieved from www.ncadv.org

• Nearly 20.9% of female high school students and 13.4% of male high school students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.
• Nearly 1.5 million high school students in the United States are physically abused by dating partners every year.

• A 2013 study of 10th graders found that 35% had been either physically or verbally abused; 31% were perpetrators of physical or verbal abuse.
• A 2014 study found 10% of teenage students in dating relationships were coerced into sexual intercourse in the previous year.
• A 2013 study found 26% of teens in relationships were victims of cyber dating abuse. Females were twice as likely to be victims as males.
• 57% of teens know someone who has been physically, sexually, or verbally abusive in a dating relationship.
• Only 33% of teenage dating abuse victims ever told anyone about it.
• 50% of youth reporting dating violence and rape also reported attempting suicide. This is com-pared to 12.5% of non-abused girls and 5.4% of non-abused boys.

If you or someone you know needs helps, please call:

Harbor House of Central Florida’s Crisis Hotline

407-886-2856 or 407-800-500-1119.

.