Adolescent Victims

Adolescents can be victims of child sexual abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. According to Victims of Crime, "during a one-year period in the U.S., 16% of youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized and over the course of their lifetime, 28% of U.S. youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized." 

Adolescent dating violence can be physical, emotional, or sexual, and includes stalking. This abuse can occur in person or through texting, social media, or other online communication. A recent survey found that 8 percent of high school students reported physical violence and 7 percent reported that they experienced sexual violence from a dating partner (in the 12 months before the survey). 

Adolescent victims of dating violence are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety. They might also partake in unhealthy behaviors including substance abuse. Adolescents who are victims in high school are also at a higher risk for victimization during college and throughout their lifetimes. 

There are adverse affects to trauma that include: drop in school performance, isolation, changes in sleeping and eating, aggression/acting out, withdrawal, suicidal ideation, mood swings, irritability, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapy can help a victim of trauma find healthy coping strategies for these adverse effects. FACT provides no cost therapy to adolescent victims of child sexual abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and sex trafficking.