11 months ago
NEW YORK (AP) -- A new national survey finds that victims of teen dating violence can only obtain protection orders on equal terms with adults in a handful of states. According to Break the Cycle, only five states deserve a 'A' grades. Twelve states got D's and 11 failed. Grades were based on various comparisons between the legal treatment of adult victims of domestic violence and teen victims of dating violence. Failure was automatic for states where protective orders are unavailable for minors, or where dating relationships are not explicitly recognized as valid for obtaining such orders. National surveys have estimated that one in three youths experiences dating abuse at some point during their teens. States receiving an 'A" were New Hampshire California, Illinois, Minnesota and Oklahoma. Getting F's were Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and Virginia. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
