It may be hard to think of your teen as having an intimate relationship, let alone an abusive one. But now, more than ever, your son or daughter needs your support.
Educate Yourself
As a parent, you can help your teen build healthy relationships and avoid abuse. Start by:
- Learning the facts about dating violence.
- Finding out how teens are using technology to perpetrate abuse.
- Learning how to talk to your teen if you see any warning signs of abuse.
Don’t Wait
It’s never too early to talk to your teen about healthy relationships. Even if you don’t think your teen is dating yet, having these conversations is important to preventing dating violence and ensuring that your son or daughter will come to you with questions about healthy and unhealthy relationships. Get Break the Cycle’s tips on talking to your teen.
You can also ensure that your child’s school is proactively addressing dating violence by advocating for prevention education.
There Is Help
If your child is in an abusive relationship, Break the Cycle is here to help. We can provide your teen with:
- Online advice
- Safety planning
- Information on their legal rights