Young people often face obstacles in accessing dating abuse services, but a knowledgeable service provider can help overcome those obstacles and support a young survivor’s safety. The following resources offer an introduction to some of the challenges that young people and service providers face when addressing dating abuse, such as what to say when someone discloses that they have experienced abuse, effective safety planning with young people, and the impact of the law on serving young people.  

Issue Briefs

• A Development Approach to Working with Teen Victims (PDF)
• Balancing Obligation: Serving Teen Victims and Mandated Reporting of Statutory Rape (PDF)
• Technology and Teen Dating Violence (PDF)
• Safety Planning (PDF)
• Impact of the Law on Services to Teens (PDF)
• Myth of Mutuality (PDF)
• Intimate Partner Sexual Violence (PDF)
• Teen Pregnancy, Parenting and Dating Violence (PDF)

Tip & Fact Sheets

• Working with Teen Survivors for Advocates (PDF)
• Working with Teen Survivors for Courts (PDF)
• Working with Teen Survivors for Law Enforcement (PDF)
• Working with Teen Survivors for Prosecutors (PDF)
• Responding to Disclosures of Abuse (PDF)
• What to Say to Someone Who Discloses (JPG)
• Screening Young Patients for Dating Abuse (PNG)
  • Georgetown Medical students partnered with Break the Cycle for a service learning course on incorporating thoughtful, youth-driven dating abuse screenings into their practice. The students developed a tool for other medical students and practitioners that outlines tips and resources for successful screenings. 

Reports

• National Survey of Youth Access to Dating Abuse Services (PDF)