What can be done to prevent the injury?

Parents need to warn children about possible risks. Children should be taught about good and bad touches. They need to be told that no one should touch their private areas. Children should be told not to keep secrets from their parents, even if someone has threatened to harm them or their parents.

The best way to prevent abuse is to teach children how to solve problems without using abuse. Teenagers and young adults should be taught that it's never OK to abuse a partner. Parents and healthcare providers should provide teens with information and statistics about dating violence. The teens should be given specific information about behaviors that are part of dating violence. They should be encouraged to discuss any issues or concerns with a parent or other appropriate adult.

Since health concerns such as cocaine use are associated with a higher risk for partner abuse, healthcare providers should address dating violence when treating teens with these health concerns. Careful screening can help identify at-risk teens and provide the opportunity to stop the abuse cycle.