from Why the ‘He Can Beat Me’ Tweets About Chris Brown Aren’t Funny
Every year, almost 1.5 million high school students experience dating abuse, and it takes on many different forms. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, verbal or stalking and can happen face-to-face, online or by texting. Some victims don’t realize that these unhealthy relationships are abusive and normalize the abusive behavior which tends to lead to abusive relationships as adults. Teen victims are more likely to become depressed, do poorly in school and take on unhealthy behaviors such as relying on drugs, alcohol and developing eating disorders.
Intimate partner violence affects everyone regardless of gender, race or class, but many are still afraid to speak out when they are being abused