NCJ Number
149657
Date Published
1994
Length
29 pages
Annotation
The issue of violence in young people's relationships has become significant in recent years; women's organizations, such as the Battered Women's Support Services in British Columbia, Canada, have seen an increase in calls concerning teenage women who are battered by their boyfriends.
Abstract
Over the past two decades, women's organizations have begun transition houses and other support services for battered women, government agencies have responded to the needs of women, and the media has focused on abuse. It appears that the pressure to have a boyfriend is a powerful motivator for young women. Young women see daily that success is defined in terms of being attractive and popular and having a man. At the same time, popular music tells boys to be aggressive, egocentric, and irresponsible in satisfying their needs. The need to be respected for their beliefs and choices is important to young people, and many young women believe their boyfriend is the only one who takes them seriously as having grown up. When young women speak of their abusive situations, each experience is unique. Nonetheless, certain steps can be taken to help women prevent or deal with abuse. The author presents a discussion guide that focuses on relationships, self-esteem, self-assertion, and breaking isolation. Exercises and handouts are included that deal with violence, forced sexual contact, and sexual abuse. Legal aspects of dating violence in Canada are noted, organizations and materials that can provide assistance are listed, and the issue of reporting violence to the police is examined.