Teens Victims Of Domestic Violence More Often Than You Might Think

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By By April Zepeda

Summary

Of the teens aged 15 to 19 who are murdered each year in this country, a third are killed by their boyfriends.

Story Published: May 26, 2004 at 2:49 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:29 AM PDT

Teens Victims Of Domestic Violence More Often Than You Might Think
EVERETT - The murder-suicide involving a promising teen in Stanwood brings to light a problem often overlooked.

When you think of battered women, domestic violence, and restraining orders, you probably don't think of high school students.

But it happens more than you might think.

Of the teens aged 15 to 19 who are murdered each year in this country, a third are killed by their boyfriends.

Among the most recent was Dayna Fure, the Stanwood honor student killed by an ex-boyfriend whom she just filed a restraining order against.

"She probably did everything she was supposed to, just like we have. Yet, she's now dead," said Yvette, a mother.

Yvette's 17-year old daughter has a restraining order against her 16-year old ex-boyfriend.

Yvette says they have called police easily 30-times in the last two years.

"My daughter was home alone and she called police, the police didn't show up, He's telling her she's going to die, he'll find her where ever she is. That was probably the scariest moment," she said.

Forty percent of students aged 14 to 17 say they know someone their age who has been hit by a boyfriend.

The domestic violence coordinator for Mountlake Terrace Police says teens don't always see the red flags as quickly as adults.

"There's kind of this sense out there that if he's jealous, if he cares who I'm talking to, whom I'm with, he must really, really care about me," said coordinator Tammy McElyea.

Yvette says there's another problem, the legal system can be reluctant to help.

"I don't think they think this is serious when it comes to teenagers - it's kids will be kids, but it's not serious. Well it IS serious," she said.

Victim's advocates say more needs to be done to educate teens and schools about the warning signs.

"They (the schools) make a lot of efforts around drugs, around bullying, they make an effort around school violence. Well school violence covers domestic violence," said McElyea.

Clearly teens want the help. A national study found half of all teenagers wish they had more information about abuse.

For More Information:

For more information on teen domestic violence go to www.loveisnotabuse.com and click on "Just for teens."