Teenagers and College-aged individuals can feel isolated and ashamed of surviving Domestic Violence due to the media's traditional depiction of who "should" experience Domestic Violence and how it "should" look. Survivors in this age group may feel like they are "too young" to experience something like Domestic Violence and may attribute the cause of it to immaturity, learning the ins-and-outs of a relationship for the first time, or a mistake. However, abusive behaviors are a choice, regardless if classified as a mistake, immaturity, adapting to a relationship for the first time, or any other reason. There is no excuse for instilling fear in your partner or being abusive, regardless of past trauma, a past of  witnessing Domestic Violence or abuse, stress, learning or adapting to a first relationship. There is no excuse at all for Domestic Violence.

Domestic Violence does not discriminate; anyone can experience it and it can look differently to everyone. It is always the choice of the abuser to abuse, and survivors, regardless of age group, are never alone. 

If you are enrolled in an academic institution like a university or a high school, check with your office of campus involvement or academic resource center for local Domestic Violence/abuse, intimate partner violence or sexual abuse groups near you and with peers around your age. Check out our additional resources to learn more about this process.

You can report a domestic violence incident to your campus police, city or town police, and a trusted adult. Your college or high school may also be able to assist you with any academic help you may need while navigating leaving a domestically violent relationship or the court system through their Title IX Office or an office for sexual assault or sexual crime. Never be afraid to ask for help.