Last page edit 04/02/08

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Dating violence is becoming an increasingly common problem. Teenage girls who are subject to dating violence often slip through the cracks of the legal system because they are:

  • too old to be helped by child protection social workers;
  • too young to stay at battered women shelters.

Official statistics are scarce, but in a recent survey  1 in 3 teenagers report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner. Other recent studies show that at least 25% of teenagers report being in violent relationships themselves. A stunning 98% of teenage girls who have been abused continue to date the abuser.  See if the teenager or their dates have substance abuse issues.

For Teens

Awareness is the key to spotting a violent relationship, whether it is for yourself or for a friend. Here are some useful resources to help you think things through and take action.

Read the “Stats”          Take the Quizzes            Advice for friends              Tips for Girls and Boys

Find out what is appropriate in a dating relationship (and what is not)


Teen Action Campaign tips from Massachusetts teens– “See it and Stop it”


"Love Is Not Abuse" Liz Claiborne Foundation
iJane - a nonprofit production company that works to address public health issues through entertainment talks about teen violence.


“Love Doesn’t Have to Hurt” American Psychological Association website on teen dating violence.


When Love Hurts. A guide (from an Australian nonprofit) for girls on love, respect and abuse in relationships

For Parents
How to tell if your daughter is dating a violent boy
In many instances, a batterer comes across as a perfect boyfriend. The key to protecting your daughter against dating violence is through communication. Pay attention to how your daughter’s boyfriend treats her, and look for signs of dating violence.

What is the age of consent in Maryland?

If you think your daughter may be in an abusive relationship, you should find the right moment to talk to her about it. Do not be angry, and really listen to what she has to say. To learn more about talking to your teen about healthy relationships, download a free copy of

These are handbooks published by Liz Claiborne, Inc. which has a foundation dedicated to addressing women’s issues. These handbooks are aimed at promoting teenage dating violence awareness. To download these resources you will need adobe acrobat.

If you need immediate assistance, call the Maryland Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-MD HELPS (800-634-3577) or the House of Ruth Domestic Violence Hotline: 410-889-7884, or find a community resource near you.

Source: This material draws heavily from materials created by Liz Claiborne, Inc. and is used with their permission. It was edited and expanded by MLAN.  Reviewed by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).

Last DateReviewed (no legal content): 3/28/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)

This site offers legal information, not legal advice. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information and to clearly explain your options. However we do not provide legal advice - the application of the law to your individual circumstances. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney. See our section on "Finding Legal Help."

The Maryland Legal Assistance Network (MLAN) sponsors this site in collaboration with a number of legal services providers serving low and moderate income Marylanders. The information on this site is provided by a wide range of attorneys and advocacy organizations. Most files indicate author and attribution information. In the absence of file-specific attribution or copyright, the Maryland Assistance Network (MLAN/MLSC) holds the copyright (all rights reserved) subject to the following exception. You are free to copy the information for your own use or for other non-commercial purposes with the following language “Source: People’s Law Library of Maryland – www.peoples-law.org © Maryland Legal Assistance Network / MLSC, 1999-2003.”