Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

Involved and supportive parents and caregivers can have strong relationships with their children and the most lasting impact on their values and behaviors. Helping to influence positive changes in the perspective of parents and caregivers can encourage them have open conversations with their children – that is prevention.

Facts & Figures

Teens and young adults are faced with many challenges while learning how to navigate complex relationships. Being aware of these issues can help parents know what to look for to prevent long-term problems.

1 in 3 adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence.

Relationship abuse is not only physical! Among adolescents, abuse can be physical, verbal, sexual, financial, or digital. Stalking also constitutes abuse. Think your teen might be a victim or perpetrator of abuse?

Learn Signs of Healthy & Harmful Relationships

Though 82% of parents feel confident that they could recognize the signs if their child was experiencing dating abuse, a majority of parents (58%) could not correctly identify all the warning signs of abuse.

Dating violence can be hard to identify, especially if your child does not want you to know.

Learn the Warning Signs

Violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications by putting the victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence.

If you are concerned your child is engaging in risky behaviors as a result of teen dating violence, you can contact hotlines or resources for more information on substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behaviors, and domestic violence.

50% of youth who have been victims of both dating violence and rape attempt suicide, compared to 12.5% of non-abused girls and 5.4% of non-abused boys.

There are resources and hotlines available if you are concerned about your child’s mental health or risk of suicide as a result of dating violence.

Only 33% of teens who were in a violent relationship ever told anyone about the abuse.

It is common for victims of abuse at any age to remain silent about their abuse. Sometimes, sharing your concerns along with some outreach resources, is a good way to let them know you understand and are here to support them.

Learn the Warning Signs

Being physically or sexually abused makes teen girls 6 times more likely to become pregnant and twice as likely to get a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

If you are concerned about your teen’s sexual health, there are resources for them to explore themselves, as well as information for parents who want to know more about protecting their teens.

How can we engage parents and caregivers in prevention?

It can be challenging to engage parents and caregivers in prevention, because parenting is a full-time job. PCADV has resources to help parents navigate difficult topics related to healthy relationships and dating violence. Start with these flip cards to test your knowledge, then explore the resources below to learn more.

Communication

Does your teen get your undivided attention when they talk?

Healthy Relationships

Do you know what your teen values in a relationship?

Dating Violence

Have you talked with your teen about dating violence?

Impact of Social Media

Can you identify someone using social media to control your teen’s behavior?

Mindful Parenting

Have you done something good for yourself today?

Self-care for Teens

Have you checked in with your teen this week?