Last night’s episode of Teen Mom 2 included some of the usual themes: dealing with providing for a child under tight resources, having communication in different relationship with boyfriends, parents and friends, and the pressure of trying to figure out and do what’s best for a child.  But this episode also brought to light another important issue: intimate partner violence.  Janelle and her boyfriend Kieffer have been living in her car after Janelle is kicked out of her mom’s house.   Their relationship has been tense for a while, but their situation really escalates when they get into a fight and shouting turns into physical pushing and shoving.   Even when under stress of financial troubles and relationship woes, or whatever other circumstances, it is never okay to resort to violence.   Everyone deserves to be in a safe relationship.   But unfortunately, dating abuse is on the rise, and this is an issue that’s really affecting young people.   In fact, 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 7 men who ever experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, first experienced some form of intimate partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age.   For more of the latest facts on dating abuse, check out the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.   And to learn more about how to prevent, recognize and escape unhealthy relationships, online and off, or if you or someone you know might be experiencing sating abuse, visit LOVEISRESPECT.org.