When thinking about domestic violence we often think about adults that have experienced traumatic events associated with domestic violence, but teens do as well! I was that teenager that dealt with physical, mental and emotional abuse from my high school boyfriend. My boyfriend was jealous and insecure which in turn lead to abuse. I remember being so excited when I first started dating him, but little did I know that this relationship would turn into a story of domestic violence. My high school boyfriend said he loved me, he spent time with me, and we shared deep stories with one another; but my high school boyfriend was jealous which resulted in abuse. At games when I had to cheer, he would get upset if I looked at other boys, he would follow me to the bathroom at games due to his fear of me meeting someone else, he questioned me after every encounter I had. Once I started dating him school was not the same. If he felt I didn't do something right, he would scream and argue with me. He humiliated me time and time again at school and in public. Once we broke up, he started stalking me which seemed worse than the other forms of abuse he placed upon me. I would have to wait in the office between classes due to his threats because if he seen me in the halls he would try and argue or fight with me. My high school boyfriend had trouble getting over our break-up which lead to more and more threats and abuse. My high school boyfriend wrote me a letter that in the future would help me get the message out to others that abuse happens, and it happens at the teenage level. This letter was filled with threats on my life as well as negative comments and threats towards my family. My father eventually had to get the police involved which I feel saved my life. I didn't understand and know how serious abuse and domestic violence was until I became older and ran across this letter. "The Letter" now is something shared with others to inform and educate that domestic violence happens and it's something that we need to talk about. When I was in high school no one ever told me abuse could happen to me. No one informed me of what signs to look for when dealing with abuse. No one encouraged me to love myself. No one talked about abuse or self-love. No one talked about it! It's time to talk and that is why I'm sharing this information with you. Domestic violence/teen abuse does happen. "Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year". "One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence". (CDC, Loveisrespect.org). If you know someone that has been affected by abuse and is seeking help, connect with me through my website which is www.robinsoncounselingpllc.com

Best Regards,

Kitty Robinson LPC