(NETWORK INDIANA) _ A new report says more than a third of teen boys and girls have been abused in their dating relationships. The study says teens of both genders reported almost equal amounts of physical, emotional and sexual abuse during their relationships.

In short, both genders initiate and retaliate. Dr. Suzanne Coyle is the executive director of Indianapolis-based Christian Theological Seminary Counseling Center, she says they‘ve also seen more incidents of teen dating abuse at the center Coyle links the abuse to the need for acceptance and the fact that teens would rather be in relationships than alone. She says the trend can usually be linked to bullying earlier on and the lack of parental guidance.