Dating Violence

“My friend’s boyfriend cheats on her. He threatened to punch her and he’s strangled her. Please help!” – 15-year-old

 

Teen dating violence – including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse – is a cruel reality for many teenagers. Victims of dating violence may experience these forms of abuse:

  • Name-calling and put-downs
  • Jealousy such as getting angry if you talk to other girls or guys
  • Control/Possessiveness  such as telling you who to hang out with, telling you where to go or how to dress
  • Threats of violence, murder, or suicide
  • Angry outbursts, fights or yelling
  • Pressure to perform sexual acts that make you uncomfortable
  • Humiliating or embarrassing you, either in private or in front of others.

I am being abused. How can I get help?

The first step is to leave. It can be scary, but know that you are not alone and there is help. If you are scared of getting hurt when trying to end a relationship, don’t go anywhere with them. If you are scared for your life, call the police.

Once you have left, it’s best to stay occupied and surround yourself with people you trust. If you feel comfortable, tell your parents what’s going on. They may understand and be able to help more than you think. Also, you can take advantage of resources in your area. If you think therapy or counseling is for you, call Teen Line for a free referral.

Don’t go back to an abusive relationship! Remember: abusive relationships tend to get worse, not better. Resist the temptation to give the abusive person “one more chance.” You don’t deserve to be afraid. Everyone is entitled to feel safe and loved.

If you, a family member or a friend has been beaten up or sexually abused, or if your own behavior is out of control or violent, it is time to seek help.

If you or someone you’re with is out of control or in danger, get away and get help from a friend or neighbor. Call 911 for ambulance and/or police assistance.

If you have been raped, call one of the Rape Hotlines listed below. Also, see the section on Rape/Sexual Abuse.

If your date or boyfriend/girlfriend has fits of violent behavior, has ever hit you, beaten you, or shamed and belittled you to the point of feeling worthless and depressed, call one of the following numbers.

LISTINGS

1736 Family Crisis Center – Dating Violence Hotline and Shelter

Additional hotlines: (310)-370-5902, (310)-379-3620, (562)-388-7652. Individual, group, family counseling & case management for victims of domestic violence and runaways ages 10-17, two week stay, substance abuse awareness, 12-step program, schooling, job search and placement. Outpatient facility with 6 beds. Parent consent required.



2116 Arlington Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90018

http://1736familycrisiscenter.org/

213-745-6434

(213)-222-1237


A Thin Line

Offers information on digital abuse- forced sexting, textual harassment and cyberbullying.



http://athinline.org/


Break The Cycle

Prevention and intervention. Serves all of L.A. County residents. Education programs for schools, youth groups, and Juvenile Detention Centers. Office: 424-265-7346



5777 W Century Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90045

http://breakthecycle.org/


California Youth Crisis Line

Crisis phone counseling, information, and referrals for all problems ages 12-24. Bilingual when available. Can connect without charge to parent/guardian or other agency. Message relay service. Chat and Email available too.



Sacramento, CA 95816

http://calyouth.org

1-800-843-5200


Center for Pacific Asian Family, Inc.

24-hour Crisis Hotline. Counseling services offered to children and teens who have been victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Rape Prevention and Domestic Violence Education is offered to high schools and other community organizations. 



1102 Crenshaw Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90019

7days 24hrs

http://nurturingchange.org/

800-339-3940

323-653-4042


Child and Family Guidance Center in North Hills

Extensive services, counseling and treatment provided where child abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or domestic violence has occurred or there is risk of occurring. Serves San Fernando Valley.Spanish spoken. Accepts MediCal and health insurance. 



9650 Zelzah Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 91325

M-Th 8:30am-8pm & F 8:30am-5:30pm

http://childguidance.org/

818-993-9311

818-993-8206

info@childguidance.org


Human Services Association

Referrals. Pregnancy prevention. S.T.O.P.P. (Southeast Teen Opportunities Prevention Program). Child abuse prevention, domestic violence counseling, assistance, parenting classes. 



6800 Florence Ave,
Bell Gardens, CA 90201

M-F 8am-5pm

http://hsala.org/

562-806-5400


Interval House

Group and individual counseling, youth shelter, GLBT support services, leadership training, and teen dating violence prevention.



6615 Pacific Coast Hwy,
Long Beach, CA 90803

M-F 9am-5pm

http://intervalhouse.org/

562-594-9492

714-891-8121


Jenesse Center

Counseling, food/clothing, parenting classes, anger management, substance abuse help, vocational training, case management, legal services, emergency shelter and transitional housing for victims of domestic and dating violence for 18 years and older.



7days 24hrs

http://www.jenesse.org

800-479-7328


Masada Homes

Substance abuse counseling, co-occurring disorder services, parenting, and domestic violence support. FSP and wraparound.



108 W Victoria St,
Gardena, CA 90248

M-F 8:30am-5:30pm

http://masadahomes.org/

310-715-2020


National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline

Counseling for dating violence.Safety planning, support & referrals. Online chat also available on website. Text “LOVEIS” to 77054. 



Austin, TX

7days 24 hours

http://loveisrespect.org/

866-331-9474


Peace Over Violence

24 hour hotline: (213) 626-3393

Los Angeles County: (310) 392-8381

West San Gabriel Valley: (626) 793-3385

Counseling for dating violence, rape survivors, child abuse. Phone counseling and referrals. Self-defense classes and teen abuse prevention. 



1015 Wilshire Blvd,
Los Angeles, CA 90017

M-F 9am-5pm (by appointment)

http://peaceoverviolence.org/

310-392-8381

213-955-9090

info@peaceoverviolence.org


Personal Growth Institute

Psychotherapy, focus groups, services in a variety of languages (incl. Armenian, Farsi, Spanish). Call for appointment. Sliding Fees. Life coaching.



5536 Tampa Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 91356

M-F 9am-5pm

818-609-9989


Project Sister

Additional Hotline: (909) 626-4155

Sexual assault and incest survivor crisis services. Provides information about medical attention, reporting the assault, advocacy, personal counseling, self defense, support groups and teen/young adult education on prevention. 



Pomona, CA 91769

M-F 9am-5pm

http://projectsister.org/

909-626-4357

909-623-1619

info@projectsister.org


RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network)

Information about rape and sexual abuse as well as referrals. Free and confidential. Connects caller to nearest service. Online hotline also available on their website.



1220 L St NW,
Washington, DC 20005

http://rainn.org/

800-656-4673

202-544-1034

info@rainn.org


Seeking Peaceful Solutions

Services for youth, teens, adolescents, and adults in the areas of anger management, teen dating violence, substance abuse, and sexual abuse. Services all of Los Angeles County.



8424 S Vermont Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90044

M-F 10am-9pm

http://seekingpeacefulsolutions.org

323-753-1314

323-753-6619

info@seekingpeacefulsolutions.org


Stuart House

Located at Santa Monica ULCA Medical Center FREE treatment. Bilingual. Immediate assistance and treatment for victims and families including examinations, counseling, medical care, and crisis intervention. 



1250 16th St,
Santa Monica, CA 90404

M-F 8am-6pm

http://911rape.org/about-us/what-we-do/child-victims

424-259-7100


Su Casa – Casa Youth Shelter

Additional phone: 1-(800)-914-CASA

Shelter, food, education, counseling and support groups for teens. Bilingual. All problems. A safe haven in Orange County.

 



10911 Reagan St,
Los Alamitos, CA 90720

7 days 24 hours

http://casayouthshelter.org

800-914-2272

800-914-CASA


That’s Not Cool

24hr Hotline (1-866-331-8453 TTY)
An online resource for bullying and offers info on relationship abuse & peer pressure.



7 days 24 hours

http://www.Thatsnotcool.com

1-866-331-9474


The Positive Results Corporation

The Positive Results Corporation provides free group workshops for awareness and prevention of bullying and teen dating violence. They also conduct 12-week youth leadership, financial empowerment, and healthy relationship workshops for free. Call for scheduling and further information. Please visit website’s “About Us” page to see if you are eligible. English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL) available.



Los Angeles, CA 90002

http://prc123.org

323-787-9252

310-671-5863

info@prc123.org


Valley Trauma Counseling Center

For sexual assault victims in San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley.
Will accompany to hospitals, police, or court.
Counseling available to victim, significant others, and family of rape and domestic abuse. Prevention, education, crisis, and intervention.



18111 Nordhoff St,
Los Angeles, CA 91330

http://csun.edu/vtc

818-886-0453

661-253-0258


Victims of Crime Resource Center

Information regarding victims’ rights and what to expect while going through the court system. Confidential referrals for counseling. Spanish services available. FREE. Online chat available.



3200 5th Ave,
Sacramento, CA 95817

M-F 8am-5pm

http://1800victims.org

800-842-8467

Victims2@pacific.edu


Women Shelter of Long Beach/Youth Services

Counseling, Youth in Shelter, LGBT Support Services, and Teen Dating Violence Prevention, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, interventions. Individuals 18 and older. 24hr Hotline: 562-437-4663.



Long Beach, CA

M-F 8am-5pm

http://womenshelterlb.org

562-437-7233


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