State Law Guide: Teen Dating Abuse Education and School Policies (2010)

Dating abuse is the use of abusive behaviors by a person to harm, threaten, intimidate or control a current or former dating partner. Dating abuse can include, but is not limited to, physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Dating abuse is a widespread problem — nationally, up to 40 percent of teens have been in abusive relationships and of those that have, 43 percent experienced abuse while at school. Several states now require school districts to adopt policies on dating abuse among students, which include providing dating abuse education to students and/or protecting targets of dating abuse while they are on campus. This guide tracks current laws and pending legislation relating to dating abuse.