kidsdata advisory

1 in 20 Youth in California Report Physical Abuse within a Dating Relationship

Six percent of California eleventh grade students reported that they had been hit, slapped or otherwise intentionally physically hurt by a girlfriend or boyfriend in the past 12 months, according to the results of a 2011-13 survey of public school students.

Eleven percent of non-traditional students, 4 percent of seventh graders and 5 percent of ninth graders reported such physical abuse in the same survey. Higher percentages of American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and African American/Black students reported relationship violence than students in other groups.

These figures likely underestimate the magnitude of the problem, as this statewide survey addresses only physical abuse. Dating violence also may include sexual and emotional abuse (including intimidation and stalking), and it can be in person or electronic. In addition, many victims do not report violence.

Dating violence among teens has serious short- and long-term consequences, which may include physical and emotional trauma, depression and anxiety, engagement in unhealthy behaviors and relationships, involvement in antisocial activities, and thoughts of suicide.

Related Data:

• Youth Who Have Experienced Dating Violence in the Past Year (Student Reported), by Grade Level
  • by Gender and Grade Level
  • by Level of Connectedness to School
  • by Race/Ethnicity

Helpful Links

Saying No to Teen Dating Violence One Classroom at a Time, California Health Report

Break the Cycle: Empowering Youth to End Domestic Violence

California Partnership to End Domestic Violence

PreventConnect, California Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Teen Dating Violence, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

VetoViolence, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Prevention and Intervention of Teen Dating Violence, 2014, National Institute of Justice

Teen Dating Violence: How Peers Can Affect Risk & Protective Factors (PDF), 2014, National Institute of Justice, Oudekerk, B., et al.

Understanding Teen Dating Violence (PDF), 2014, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Youth Who Have Experienced Dating Violence in the Past Year (Student Reported), by Race/Ethnicity
Years: 2011-2013