Teen Dating Violence Hits Both Genders, Survey Shows

New findings published in JAMA Pediatrics look at a survey of U.S. high school students that shows how 1 in 5 female and 1 in 10 male students who experienced some form of teen dating violence during the past 12 months.

The survey asked about 9,900 high school students whether they had experienced some type of violence from someone they had dated. The survey, provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was also updated from previous versions, asking more updated information with questions including sexual violence and a more accurate portrayal of violent behaviors.

Findings revealed that an estimated 7 percent of teen girls had experienced physical violence and 6 percent experienced both. Close to 21 percent also said they were the victim of some type of dating-related violence.

Close to 4 percent of boys reported experiencing physical violence, while 3 percent experienced sexual violence and 10 percent experienced some type of violence.

Unfortunately, the survey also showed that those who had experienced violence had experienced it more than once and were also at a higher risk of other health issues, such as drinking, drug use and even suicide, in more severe cases.

In the future, researchers are hoping to examine the frequency of violence in teen dating relationships and how this can take a toll on an individual's health.

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