JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local psychologist is sounding the alarm about a danger many parents may not even realize exists—abusive relationships among teenagers and young adults.
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Clinical psychologist Stephen Bloomfield shared that what most call “domestic violence” is more accurately described by medical professionals as intimate partner violence. This form of abuse, Bloomfield explained, can happen in both current and past relationships—and it’s much more common than many believe.
Dr. Bloomfield identifies several behavioral changes that could signal a teen is in an abusive relationship:
- Increased impulsivity
- Emotional detachment
- Trouble with sleep or eating
- Withdrawing from friends or family
These signs may be easy to miss, especially because many young people minimize or hide the abuse they’re experiencing.
“The problem is that many teens don’t want to say they’re victims,” Bloomfield explained. “Some teens put up with harmful behavior because they feel pressured to ‘keep’ their partner.”
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Bloomfield warned that teens and young adults may be normalizing abuse.
“There’s a sad culture where it’s ‘okay’ to be hit or slapped,” Bloomfield said. “It’s not.”
How parents can help:
- Ask direct questions about your child’s relationships.
- Maintain an open dialogue so your child feels safe sharing.
- Notice and act on behavioral changes.
After an attack left her partially paralyzed, Madison Schemitz decided to speak out. She’s using her experience to raise awareness about abuse in young relationships, sharing her story to help others recognize and avoid these dangerous situations.
Bloomfield believes stories like Madison’s are crucial.
“Some people can become stronger after trauma,” he said. “But it takes time, support, and a complete shift in how they view what happened to them.”
Schemitz was recently recognized by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office during National Crime Victim’s Week. She also joined other survivors in a walk for Trauma Survivors' Day, bringing attention to a problem that too often remains hidden.