O A teen’s confusion about the law and their desire for confidentiality are two of the most significant barriers stopping young victims of abuse from seeking help. O Eighty-one percent of parents believe teen-dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue O Only 33% of teens who were in a violent relationship ever told anyone about the abuse O Currently only one juvenile domestic violence court in the country focuses exclusively on teen dating violence The Tulalip Tribes also allows a minor of any age to apply for a protection order. O New Hampshire is the only state where the law specifically allows a minor of any age to apply for a protection order more than half of states do not specify the minimum age of a petitioner. O Twenty-two (22) states have enacted legislation that specifically addresses teen dating violence ( ) As a result, young victims of dating abuse often cannot apply for restraining orders O Eight states currently do not include dating relationships in their definition of domestic violence. O Approximately 70% of college students say they have been sexually coerced O One quarter of high school girls have been victims of physical or sexual abuse O Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence O One in five tweens knows a victim of dating violence O Almost 1 in 10 teens reports being physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the last year