October '99 Domestic Violence--Teen Substance Use-Internet Addiction   

Here's a quick, simple link to articles, or, see brief summaries further down the page...

As the leaves turn, and Fall is in the air, kids start talking about what they're going to be for Halloween. Teens want to plan what they are doing--who is planning a party.   Parents know about safety planning for younger children--making sure they are accompanied, carrying flashlights, perhaps trick-or-treating before dark, checking the "loot" for safety.  But what about teens?  Look at  Halloween Safety for Teens Known to Use Drugs or Alcohol and Safety for Teens on Halloween.  The first article has a checklist for teens who are in sobriety, and wanting to stay clean and sober. 

Internet addiction is in the news.  For Dale Lillak's article exploring this issue, read  The Internet, a Fantasy Addict’s Dream Come True.

· · · October is Domestic Violence Month · · · Domestic violence (DV) is a societal problem rather than a domestic issue, though it has been treated as such in the past (that is, as an issue within the family).   

Why shift the focus to how DV is a societal issue?  Treating it as a family or couple's issue places the blame (in part) on the victim, rather than focusing on the perpetrator of the crime.  In most other crimes we place the responsibility for the offense with the perpetrator.  We don't blame banks for tempting robbers (well, what is the bank's part in the issue?  They had all that money, and the bank robber didn't have any!  What did you expect?)   

If we blame the victim for the acts of the batterer, we can avoid societal responsibility for finding solutions to a problem that is epidemic.  We start to look at what the victim should be doing, and we blame victims for staying.  We expect them to leave their own homes in order to be safe.   At the same time we do not provide long term housing, or sufficient job training or support programs.  

If you are interested in increasing your awareness of domestic violence issues, read the following five articles (two more are located in the Areas of Interest section).

Most parents would be shocked and worried to learn that their teen was experiencing violence in a dating relationship.  However, according to Dr. Elaine Alpert, one in ten teens is victimized by violence in a dating relationship.  For perspective on this issue, and some ideas of what to do, read the article Recognize Early Warning Signs of a Violent Teen Relationship.  

Sometimes, people conclude that domestic violence is caused by  the use of alcohol and drugs.  For a discussion of the interaction between domestic violence and substance use, read   Alcohol, Drugs and Domestic Violence: What's the Connection? and  Exploring the Connection.

Our last articles on Domestic Violence are about the effects of domestic violence upon children.  Read The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and information on characteristics of children from violent homes. 

Additional domestic violence articles:

Domestic violence is not simply a problem with anger management, it is a matter of one partner dominating and controlling another partner.  Here's a brief but general description of the problem  Domestic Violence overview.

Anyone can have some controlling behaviors, but when does it predict a problem? Click on the link below for a checklist to help assess the situation:     Predicting Domestic Violence Potential

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