Bad Romance: Raising Awareness of Abuse in Teen Relationships

Emotional abuse is insidious: Not only does it take many forms, it can be difficult to recognize. According to Denise Renye , a certified sexologist and psychologist, emotional abuse “may be delivered as yelling, putting a partner down, commenting on a partner’s body, deliberately not respecting a partner’s boundaries, and saying one thing while doing something else entirely. At first, abusers may seem like charismatic and charming people, waiting until they and their partner have hit a milestone such as moving in together before they show their true colors.

Renye points out that abusers also often manipulate their partners into thinking abusive behavior is romantic. Their behavior may be a product of unchecked jealousy, “something that abusers often feel is justified and conveys a sign that they ‘really love’ their partner,” Renye says.

adolescence, the negative effects of dating violence continue into adulthood, for both perpetrators and victims, and shape processes of entry and exit from intimate.

Dating and relationships are an important part of growing up. All relationships have qualities that can make them healthy, abusive, or somewhere in between. Being in a dating relationship can mean different things to different people. Anyone can be a victim of abuse or behave in an abusive way regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual practices.

Someone can also experience abuse and behave abusively in their relationship at the same time. This guide will give you more information about dating violence and how to get help. Dating violence is common among teenagers and young adults. It is hard to know exactly how many people experience dating violence because many victims never tell anyone about the abuse.