Teen victims of dating violence deserve the same legal protections that adult victims of domestic abuse receive. Unfortunately, teens face additional barriers when trying to get help, especially if they need a restraining order.

To help youth get the legal protections they need, Break the Cycle surveys how the law affects teen victims of dating violence in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. We publish the results in our annual State-by-State Teen Dating Violence Report Cards.

Does Your State Make the Grade?

Here are highlights from the 2009 State Law Report Cards:

• Five states earned A's (California, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Oklahoma) because they allow teen victims of dating violence to easily access civil protection or restraining orders.
• Eleven states received failing grades because their laws do not allow minors or people in dating relationships to file for protection or restraining orders.
• Eight states improved their grades from last year, including four that failed on our 2008 State Law Report Cards.

2009 State-by-State Report Card

View the full 2009 State-by-State Teen Dating Violence Report Cards.

Thank you to the attorneys of Latham and Watkins, LLP who generously gave their time to this project. If you know of a change in your state’s law, please let us know. Email us at policy@breakthecycle.org.