Family Shelter Service - Providing help and hope for victims of domestic violence!

Serving Dupage County, IL
24-hour hotline: 630 469 5650
For everything else: 630 221 8290

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Teen Program

Witnessing Family Abuse
Teens living in abusive homes not only witness abusive behavior but they also learn it, carrying the terrible lesson with them into adulthood. They do not need to be abused themselves in order to learn this behavior; witnessing it is enough.

	Boys who witness their fathers' violence are 10 times more likely to engage in abusive behavior to a partner than boys from nonviolent homes.
	More than 50% of youth who witness their parents being abusive to each other become involved in an abusive relationship.

Without intervention, teens from abusive homes are:

	6 times more likely to attempt suicide
	50% more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol

The Teen Witness Group
The teen witness group, which is offered periodically, is an educational and supportive group for teens who have witnessed abuse in the home, and therefore are at an increased risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of abuse. In gender-appropriate groups, teens will learn to:

	develop alternative coping and self-regulation skills
	understand types of abusive behavior
	problem-solve

Not everyone reacts to domestic abuse in the same way, but if you are concerned about the effects and would like to talk about the abuse in your home, please call Family Shelter Service.

Dating Abuse

	36% of teens have been affected by relationship violence.
	Of the women between the ages of 15-19 murdered each year, 30% are killed by their husband or boyfriend.

What are the warning signs of dating abuse?

	Acts Jealous
	Tries to control you
	Demands all of your time
	Blames others for his/her problems
	Uses intimidation to make you do something
	Holds rigid ideas about male and female roles
	Cruel to animals or children
	Says hurtful things, degrades or humiliates you
	Displays sudden mood swings and unpredictable behavior
	Isolates you from activities with family or friends
	Makes threats or uses force during an argument (shoving, slapping, grabbing, or holding you down)

The Teen Empowerment Group
The teen empowerment group, which is offered occasionally, is an educational and supportive group for teens who have experienced dating abuse. If you are concerned about a current or past abusive relationship, please call Family Shelter Service to talk with someone who understands.