Intimate partner violence (IPV) and teen dating violence (TDV) are of growing concern to professionals who support young people who experience the child welfare and/or justice systems, homelessness, and/or disconnection from school and work. IPV/TDV have been linked to negative sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young people who experience the child welfare and/or justice systems and/or homelessness, including a lower likelihood of frequent condom use, unplanned pregnancy, and engaging in sex under the influence of alcohol and drugs. 1-3
This resource provides answers to common questions that youth-supporting professionals may have about IPV and TDV. Some of the questions may be of interest to all youth-supporting professionals, regardless of the young people with whom they work. Other questions may be of greater interest to youth-supporting professionals who work with young people who experience the child welfare and/or justice systems, homelessness, and/or disconnection from school and work.
- What are IPV and TDV?
- What are the signs that a young person may be experiencing IPV/TDV?
- How can you start a conversation with a young person who may be experiencing IPV/TDV?
- What supports are available to young people experiencing IPV/TDV?
- What is the prevalence of IPV/TDV among young people involved with the child welfare and/or justice system, experiencing homelessness, and/or disconnected from work and school?
- What evidence-based programs are available to help young people involved with the child welfare and/or justice system, experiencing homelessness, and/or disconnected from work and school who are at risk for or experiencing IPV/TDV?
By providing research-based answers to these questions, this resource can help professionals appropriately respond to the needs of young people who experience the child welfare and/or justice systems, homelessness, and/or disconnection from school and work who are experiencing or at risk for IPV/TDV.
Suggested citation: Kull, M., Schlecht, C., & Griffin, A.M. (2022). How to Start a Conversation With a Young Person Who May Be Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence or Teen Dating Violence. Child Trends. https://activatecenter.org/resource/a-research-based-question-and-answer-resource-on-intimate-partner-and-teen-dating-violence-for-youth-supporting-professionals
Author Attribution: This document was developed as part of a partnership between Child Trends and Chapin Hall. Authors of this resource from Chapin Hall include Melissa Kull, MS, PhD, Colleen Schlecht, MPP, and Amanda Griffin, PhD.
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank the many contributors to this resource. Experts who informed the resource include:
- Elizabeth Aparicio, University of Maryland
- Heidi Beaubriand, Oregon Department of Human Services
- Cathy Benn, Second Story for Teens in Crisis
- Soraya Borja, Second Story in the Community
- Lauren Luberda, Second Story for Teens in Crisis
- Kimberlyn Pena, Second Story in the Community
- Rachel Roberts, Children’s Aid Society of Alabama
- Shakira Washington, National Crittenton
Thank you also to the several youth-supporting professionals, young people, and other experts who contributed but are not named here. We also thank other Activate project team members who assisted in the development of this resource including Mindy Scott, PI and Jan DeCoursey, Project Director. We are grateful for the contributions of other Child Trends, Chapin Hall, and Healthy Teen Network staff who contributed to this resource including:
- Jenita Parekh, Child Trends
- Julie Blechman, Child Trends
- Marina Duane, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
- Nicholas Sufrinko, Healthy Teen Network
- Milagros Garrido, Healthy Teen Network
- Jennifer Farmer, Healthy Teen Network
Finally, a special thank you to the Child Trends communications staff, especially Kelley Bennett, Olga Morales, Catherine Nichols, Brent Franklin, and Stephen Russ.
This page was last updated in February 2025.