According to recent studies:

1 in 3 teens have experienced violence in a relationship.

1 in 4 girls will experience sexual violence by the age of 18.

1 in 6 boys will experience sexual violence by the age of 18.

Every 9 seconds a women is abused.

Every five days a women is killed as a result of domestic violence in the state of Pennsylvania.

92 people lost their lives to domestic or dating violence in the state of Pennsylvania in 2006.

24-hour hot lines:

National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
866-331-9474
http://www.loveisrespect.org
Online chat: 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. EST

Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
1-877-338-8255 or 412-687-8005
http://www.wcspittsburgh.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233

Womansplace
412-678-4616

Alle-Kiski Area Hope Center
1-888-299-HOPE

Crisis Center North
412-364-5556

Warning signs

Your relationship could be abusive if your partner:

• Tries to control your behavior, how you dress or look
• Monitors your whereabouts via cell phone and text messages
• Is increasingly jealous and possessive
• Threatens to hurt you or himself if you break up with him
• Isolates you from friends and family
• Has history of violence, including abuse of animals

Parents should watch for a child who:

• Withdraws from friends and normal activities to reserve time specifically for her boyfriend.
• Begins wearing loose clothing (to hide bruises, or be less attractive to other boys)
• Says things like, "My boyfriend doesn't want me to/let me..."