|
Is your teen dating someone who is jealous and possessive? Does your teen’s steady friend display controlling or bossy behavior?
If you answered yes, then your teen could be headed for dating violence, according to advocates at Crisis Intervention Services (CIS), which serves Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska and Marion counties.
The advocates presented “Dating Violence: What Parents of Teenagers Need to Know” Monday night at the United Way building in Oskaloosa.
“Dating violence isn’t a bad mood or an argument every once in a while,” said Catherine Perkins, a sexual assault advocate. “It’s a pattern of violent behavior that someone uses against a girlfriend or boyfriend.”
That behavior could include physical abuse, verbal or emotional abuse, constant insults, isolation from friends and family, sexual abuse and controlling behaviors, Perkins added.
In addition to the behaviors noted above, the advocate also mentioned more warning signs for parents:
• The dating partner puts your child down in front of other people.
• Your child apologizes for his/her behavior and makes excuses.
• Your child frequently cancels plans with friends at the last minute for reasons that sound untrue.
• The dating partner is always checking up on, calling or paging, or demanding to know where your child has been and with whom.
• You have seen, or heard, the dating partner lose his/her temper and maybe even break or hit things.
• Your child is giving up things that used to be important to her/him and is becoming isolated.
• Your child’s weight, appearance, or grades have changed dramatically. These could be signs of depression which could indicate abuse.
• Your child has injuries she/he can’t explain, or the explanations don’t make sense.
| 
