‘Teen Dating Violence’ Is a Women’s Health Issue, Not Just a Relationship Problem

Written By Zacharias Wray

Teen dating violence is already shaping girls’ health long before adulthood. It often begins with a controlling partner, unwanted sexual pressure, or even just the fear of "If I don't do this, the relationship might be over". Over time, those experiences (which can seem so innocent or insignificant at the time) can develop into complex trauma, unplanned pregnancy, and long-term health consequences.

Because it unfolds inside dating relationships, teen dating violence is often dismissed by teens and those around them as a “relationship problem.” In reality, it reaches into women’s health through risks to physical safety, emotional stability, and reproductive health, especially for teen and young adult girls who are still learning what consent, boundaries, and trust are supposed to feel like.

Statistically speaking, dating abuse among teens in the United States remains widespread. Current data suggests that at least one in three girls will experience some form of abuse from a dating partner. What's worse, is that many of these experiences go unnoticed, unreported, and untreated because they do not leave visible injuries.

Public health data also shows a rise since 2017 in high school girls reporting forced sexual encounters. For some teens, that experience leads to unplanned pregnancy or teen pregnancy, often surrounded by secrecy and fear of asking for help. Sadly, pregnancy and/or pregnancy scares can often increase danger in abusive situations. Homicide is now recognized as a leading cause of death among pregnant and postpartum teens, a reality that places teenage dating violence alongside other forms of domestic violence that threaten women’s lives.

You may recognize pieces of your own past in these patterns. You may be worried about a daughter, niece, or student who seems withdrawn or afraid to speak up. You might also be a teenager reading this, unsure whether what you’re experiencing is "serious enough" to matter. But In our small community of Lorain County, where more than one-quarter of residents are under age 18 and families often juggle work, school, and care for children, relationship abuse can affect a significant portion of teens.

So for the teens who are reading this searching for reassurance, and for the adults hoping to keep them safe, understanding teen dating violence as a women’s health issue opens the door to prevention, safety, and long-term healing.

What Teen Dating Violence Actually Looks Like

If You’re Under 18 and Reading This…

…you’re probably here searching for answers. It may be because something in your relationship just doesn’t ‘feel right’, even if you cannot explain why. Many teens that experience dating violence describe feeling

  • Pressured to keep the peace

  • Worried about saying the wrong thing

  • Afraid of upsetting their partner

  • Unsure as to what ‘counts’ as violence

While not an exhaustive list, domestic and dating violence “red flags” tend to fall under the broad headings of control and sexual pressure.

Control can look like the need for constant texting, checking your phone, or questioning where you are and who you are with. It can sound like jealousy framed as caring, or anger followed by apologies that promise things will change.

Sexual pressure is another common part of teenage dating violence. This can include being pushed to do things you are not ready for, being told you “owe” someone because you are dating, or being made to feel guilty for setting boundaries.

What many people do not realize is that your consent is affected by both control and sexual pressure, even if connection is not recognized at the time.

When one person holds power in a relationship, agreement can happen out of habit or fear rather than genuine choice. Many teens minimize these experiences because there are no visible injuries. You might tell yourself “this is normal,” “everyone goes through this,” or “it’s my fault for being too sensitive.”

But feeling anxious, distracted, or disconnected from friends and family can be signs that a relationship is affecting your health, not just your emotions.

Remember: you deserve relationships where you feel safe, respected, and able to say no without fear.

If You’re Over 18 and Reading This…

…and you’re concerned for a friend, a sister, or a child, you’re in the right place. From the outside, teen dating violence can be difficult to recognize, and that distance often makes it even harder to see when it is happening to you. Awareness depends on people who pay attention, ask questions, and are willing to speak up when something feels off.

Teen dating violence often doesn’t look like physical harm, especially at first. Changes in behavior are usually the first clues. You may notice your daughter/friend/sister becoming more withdrawn, anxious, or secretive. She may stop spending time with friends, seem constantly preoccupied with her phone, or appear afraid of upsetting her partner.

She may have sudden, unprecedented shifts in mood, declining school performance, or unexplained stress around social situations. If they seem to be walking on eggshells, frequently apologizing, or asking permission for ordinary decisions, those patterns may point to control rather than typical teenage conflict.

Sexual coercion is especially difficult for parents to recognize because teens rarely talk about it openly. Fear of punishment, shame, or not being believed often keeps young people silent. If a teen seems distressed about the topic of pregnancy, avoids medical care, or expresses fear about disappointing someone, it may be a signal that pressure or abuse is present.

If this is sounding familiar, it’s important to…

  1. Pause. Strong reactions can shut teens down. Slowing yourself first keeps the door open.

  2. Observe. Look for patterns over time rather than reacting to one moment or fear.

  3. Listen. Teens are more likely to talk when they feel heard, not interrogated or rushed.

For parents or guardians, the instinct to fix the problem is strong. What helps most, though, is creating space for honest conversation without judgment. Teens are more likely to share when they believe they will be listened to, not blamed or punished. Paying attention to patterns, rather than isolated incidents, can help you see the bigger picture.

Sexual Pressure, Consent, and the Risk of Unplanned Pregnancy

As we’ve already touched on, consent is often affected well before anyone recognizes what is happening. It can happen after the first few red flags are ignored, then a few more, until those moments begin to feel easier to explain away than to confront.

In unhealthy dating situations, pregnancy rarely comes from a single clear decision. It develops under pressure that builds over time. Research consistently shows that dating violence is linked to a higher risk of unintended pregnancy, largely because abuse can involve sexual coercion and interference with contraception. A partner may insist that protection is unnecessary, promise to be careful, or dismiss concerns as overreacting. And some teens go along simply because saying no feels harder than agreeing. Others are worn down by guilt, fear of conflict, or the belief that keeping the relationship intact matters more than their own comfort.

The reality is that when a young person feels afraid of losing their partner, being punished, or being blamed, choices stop feeling like choices. Sexual pressure can make it difficult for teens, especially those navigating relationships in high school, to protect their reproductive health, even when they understand what they want or need.

When a young person realizes she might be pregnant, the dynamics of control often intensify. A partner may demand secrecy, deny responsibility, or pressure her to handle it alone. Fear of parents finding out, fear of school consequences, or fear of violence connected to intimate partner violence can keep young people silent at the exact moment support is most needed. For some, this silence delays health care, increases stress, and deepens feelings of shame.

If you are a caregiver or guardian, it is vital to keep in mind that unplanned pregnancy and teen pregnancy are not evidence of poor judgment. In the context of teenage dating violence and other forms of domestic violence, unintended pregnancies are often the result of coercion, limited control, and unequal power.
Access to birth control may be restricted, questioned, or sabotaged. The risk of teen pregnancy increases when fear and pressure replace consent. The health impact reaches beyond pregnancy itself, affecting mental health, sleep, focus, and a teen’s ability to stay connected to friends or daily life.

Early awareness, support, and access to confidential health care and local pregnancy health resources are essential for protecting women’s health and helping young people move toward healthy relationships that support long-term safety and wellbeing.

If you live in Lorain County or Northeast Ohio and are worried you might be pregnant, one helpful first step is to confirm what is actually happening before making any decisions. Local nonprofit organizations such as Cornerstone Women’s Health Center in Elyria and Lilli Women’s Center in Cleveland offer free pregnancy testing and also provide limited ultrasound services at no cost to you. You do not need insurance, and you do not need a confirmed pregnancy to make an appointment. These visits are confidential and give you the opportunity to speak with a trained, trusted advisor who can help you understand your next steps.

Why Teen Dating Violence Raises Health Risks and What Prevention Can Change

Teen dating violence is not an isolated issue, and teen relationship violence causes harm that reaches far beyond a single relationship. It places young people at higher risk for trauma, disrupted health, and outcomes that can follow them into adulthood. When sexual pressure, control, or fear shape sexual activity, teens lose the ability to protect their bodies and their futures. These dynamics contribute to higher risk teen birth rates, not because teens lack information, but because safety, consent, and choice have been compromised.

Violence prevention begins long before a crisis point. It starts with recognizing unhealthy patterns early, talking openly about respect and consent, and making sure teens know that support exists without judgment or punishment. Protecting young people means addressing the conditions that allow dating abuse to thrive and creating pathways to care that prioritize safety, dignity, and health. When communities invest in prevention and support, they give teens the chance to build relationships that do not require fear, silence, or sacrifice.

Local and National Resources

If you or someone you care about is dealing with dating violence, sexual pressure, or concerns about pregnancy, confidential support is available.

Local Support in Lorain County and Northeast Ohio

National Confidential Resources

  • Love is Respect
    A national resource focused on teen and young adult dating violence. Offers chat, text, and phone support.
    Text LOVEIS to 22522 or visit loveisrespect.org

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    24/7 confidential support for anyone experiencing relationship abuse.
    Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org

  • Teen Line (for teens by teens)
    Confidential support for young people who want to talk to someone their own age.
    teenline.org

Education and Prevention

  • Break the Cycle
    Evidence-based education and prevention resources focused on teen dating violence.

  • CDC: Teen Dating Violence
    Public health information on warning signs, risk factors, and prevention strategies.


Zacharias Wray
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