BRUISED

Sharon Flake, “So I Ain’t No Good Girl”

One out of every four teenagers reports being abused by a partner.

Sometimes, the abuse isn’t physical.

FACT:

“I had a relationship where he was real controlling. He could have his own friends, but I couldn’t. I didn’t do anything but sit at home and watch TV.”

“They put you down. They tell you you’re so ugly, you’re so fat, no one’s going to want to be with you. And you start to believe it after a while.”

“She was always suspicious. She even got my password out of me and started checking my phone messages.”

Emotional abuse can lead to violence.

One out of every three teenagers knows someone who has been physically abused by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

FACT:

“One time at school, I walked up to my boyfriend and his friend. He wanted me to go away, so he turned and hit me in the arm. That was the first time I was hit.”

“She’d get so mad she’d push me and pound my chest. I didn’t hit back, but it made me really mad.”

“After I was hit, each time, he apologized and said it would never happen again.”

Some teenagers may not even understand why they abuse their partners.

FACT:

“I could tell her where she could go and who she could talk to. It made me feel good. I just liked the power, the control.”

“I swore I’d never hit people the way I’d seen people in my family do, but I couldn’t stop myself.”

“She’s my girl. She goes where I go.”

80% of girls who have been physically abused in a relationship continue to date the abuser.

Maybe they put up with it because they don’t see another option.

80% of girls who have been physically abused in a relationship continue to date the abuser.

Maybe they put up with it because they don’t see another option.

FACT:

“I felt lucky to have him as boyfriend. And I kept thinking I could make him change.”

“When she wasn’t watching over me all the time, it just seemed like she didn’t care.”

“I started to believe all those negative things he said about me. I was brainwashed and thought it was all my fault.”

RELATIONSHIPSLove is not abuse.

Is surrendering who you are ever

the better option?

Write about a friend who changed for the worse after getting a boyfriend or

girlfriend. • “I started to believe those negative things he said.” • Why do some

people stay in abusive relationships? • ”I thought I could make her change.” •

What motivates the abusers? • “I liked the power.” • “Where were you last

night? I tried to call you a hundred times.” • “She’s my girl.” • “He said it would

never happen again.” • “I thought it was all my fault.” • Have you ever treated

someone in a way you regretted later? • “I couldn’t stop myself.” • Write about

a friend who changed for the worse after getting a boyfriend or girlfriend. • “I

started to believe those negative things he said.” • Why do some people stay in

abusive relationships? • ”I thought I could make her change.” • What motivates

the abusers? • “I liked the power.” • “Where were you last night? I tried to call

you a hundred times.” • “She’s my girl.” • “He said it would never happen

again.” • “I thought it was all my fault.” • Have you ever treated someone in a

way you regretted later? • “I couldn’t stop myself.” • Write about a friend who

changed for the worse after getting a boyfriend or girlfriend. • “I started to

believe those negative things he said.” • Why do some people stay in abusive

relationships? • ”I thought I could make her change.” • What motivates the

abusers? • “I liked the power.” • “Where were you last night? I tried to call you

a hundred times.” • “She’s my girl.” • “He said it would never happen again.” • “I thought it was all my fault.” • Have you ever treated someone in a way you

regretted later? • “I couldn’t stop myself.” •

Is surrendering who you are ever

the better option?

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