TYLER - Parents: if your teen is dating - there is new information you may want to know about.

A new study finds violence is on the rise - when it comes to teen and relationships.

Counselors at the East Texas Crisis Center said they, too, are seeing an unsettling trend of teens - even 'tweens - reporting abuse at the hands of boyfriends and girlfriends.

"Teen dating violence is an epidemic," said Theresa Bluhm, ETCC. "It has had a significant increase all across East Texas."

The studies show - the problem is bigger than you might think.

A new nationwide survey - commissioned by the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline - states kids as young as 11 are sexually active.

And violence is a big part of that.

According to the study, a whopping 33 percent of teens who had sex by the age of 14, said they have been punched, kicked or slapped by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Over half of those same teens reported being verbally abused.

Forty percent of 11-and-12 year-olds say they have friends who've been "verbally abused."

One cause - advocates said - is because kids are repeating what they see at home: "not every violent relationship has an offender who has been brought up in a violent home...but they are at a higher risk," said Bluhm.

Where you live also played a part in the study.

The report finds teens living in the West and South - are more likely to be sexually active and in abusive relationships.

Furthermore, teens that live in the suburbs report a significantly higher abuse rate compared to dating relationships in large cities and small towns.

"We want them to know that nobody has to go through this alone," said Bluhm. "We have counselors and advocates that have free services here at the crisis center"

For More Information On The East Texas Crisis Center:

About the center....
Dedication to providing safety, shelter, and education for victims of family violence, sexual assault, and other violent crime. Commitment to restoring dignity and purpose in the lives of victims and promoting public compassion and awareness in order to reduce violence in our community.

Website:
http://www.etcc.org/

24 Hour Emergency Hotline
1-800-333-0358

Locations:

Smith County
P.O. Box 7060
Tyler, TX 75711
Telephone: 903-509-2526
Fax: 903-509-2283

Henderson County
P.O. Box 847
Athens, TX 75751
Telephone: 903-675-2137

Wood County
302 South Stephens
Quitman, TX 75783
Telephone: 903-763-0705

Rains County
313 North Street
Emory, TX 75440
Telephone: 903-567-6426

Van Zandt County
310 S. Buffalo Street
Canton, TX 75103
Telephone: 903-567-6426
Fax: 903-567-2152

Flamingos
(behind Joseph's on Broadway)
107 West 6th Street
Tyler, TX 75701
903-593-2553