02/11/2026
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and it is a reminder for all of us, especially adults and victim service professionals, that intimate partner violence can begin early. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Teen Dating Violence Prevention Resources (2025 update), among people who have experienced intimate partner violence (s*xual or physical violence, and/or stalking), over 70% of women and over 60% of men first experienced it before age 25. The same resource notes that one in four women who experienced intimate partner violence first experienced it before age 18. It also reports that over 80% of women and men who have been r***d say their first r**e occurred before age 25.
It also matters who is causing harm. Sexual violence is often committed by someone the survivor knows, and over 28% of girls who experienced s*xual violence before age 18 were r***d by a current or former intimate partner. These realities underscore why early intervention, accurate screening, and survivor-centered support are critical. Teens deserve to be believed, taken seriously, and connected to help quickly, even when abuse is minimized as “young love” or “drama.”
Victims of any type of crime, including dating violence and intimate partner violence, can contact VictimConnect Resource Center for support and referrals. Call 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846) or chat at victimconnect.org.
Source: Teen Dating Violence Prevention Resources, 2025 update, National Sexual Violence Resource Center (citing CDC NISVS).
