Independence House Teens

A dedicated program of Independence House, Inc., Cape Cod’s leading housing resource, counseling and advocacy center to address and prevent domestic and sexual violence

Promoting safe and healthy relationships

Download a brochure

The Independence House Teen Program

Teens experience many issues during their transition into adulthood. Because of teens’ unique phase in life, Independence House offers services tailored for teens/tweens who have witnessed domestic violence in their homes, are survivors of sexual violence/assault, or are involved in dating relationships characterized by unhealthy interaction or violence.

Many adolescents receiving services at Independence House are seeking help with teen dating violence. Studies indicate that 1 in 3 teens experience some form of abuse in their romantic relationships, including verbal and emotional abuse, and that 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner. *

(*Break the Cycle)

The percentage of teens in an abusive relationship who share about the abuse

Estimated U.S. High School girls and boys who admit to being physically hurt by a dating partner annually

Some Warning Signs of Abuse

If you are experiencing any of these signs of abuse, we can help. The Independence House Teen Program offers:.

Individual counseling
age-appropriate teen support groups
advocacy
crisis intervention
assessment and referrals
education and information about digital safety
prevention and education opportunities

Reach out to us by any of the methods listed below. If you feel you are in immediate danger, we urge you to call 911.

Constantly checking...

Constantly checking your cell phone or emails without permission, or consistently checking on your location can be a behavior stemming from jealously or insecurity and is intrusive, can erode trust, and create an unhealthy dynamic.

Put downs...

Repeated put-downs involve a pattern of consistently belittling, insulting, or saying demeaning remarks. This behavior can be emotionally abusive and damaging to your self-esteem and well being. Put-downs can take various forms such as mocking, criticizing, name-calling, or making derogatory remarks about your appearance, abilities, or worth.

Jealousy...

Jealousy is a complex emotion that arises from the fear of losing something or someone. It is fueled by feelings of insecurity, envy, possessiveness and suspicion. Excessive jealousy can be detrimental leading to controlling behaviors, strained relationships, and personal distress.

Temper...

Showing unexpected explosive tempers in a relationship include sudden and intense outbursts of anger or rage that occur unpredictably. These outburst can be characterized by shouting, yelling, name-calling, or physical aggression.

Finances...

Controlling your finances can include restricting your access to money, monitoring and scrutinizing expenses, or demanding an account of every financial transaction in an attempt to make you feel disempowered, dependent, and trapped, and can hinder your ability to pursue your goals and happiness.

Isolation...

Keeping you from socializing or spending time alone with family and friends is a form of manipulation and control in an attempt to create a sense of dependency on the controlling partner, diminishing your support system and weakening your sense of self. This control creates a distance between you and your loved ones, manipulating you into prioritizing the relationship above all other connections.

Moods...

Swinging back and forth between kindness and anger with patterns that alternate between being loving, kind and affectionate, and then suddenly displaying episodes of intense anger, hostility or aggression creates instability and confusion, can be emotionally challenging, and is not healthy in a relationship.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse in a relationship can include hitting, punching, slapping, kicking, choking, or any other act that causes physical harm or injury.

Possesiveness...

Possessiveness is an excessive and controlling desire to have exclusive control or ownership over ones partner. It includes jealousy, insecurity, and a need for constant reassurance about your loyalty and commitment. Possessiveness can also include monitoring your activities, isolating you from family and friends, dictating your behavior and appearance, and demanding constant attention and validation.

Commanding...

Constantly telling you what to do is a form of control and an attempt to gain power of the other in a relationship. It can manifest in various ways such as making demands, giving unsolicited advice, criticizing or belittling your choices, or attempting to micro-manage or manipulate your life, leaving you disempowered or with a sense of invalidation.

How to find us

There are many ways to reach out to a teen counselor 24-hours a day.
Secure Live Chat-
in the yellow bubble on this website:
Chat securely with a teen counselor
Monday-Thursday 9:00am-7:00pm,
and Friday 9:00am-5:00pm.

Teen Texline:
508.375.5144
during Independence House business hours.

24-hour hotline:
800.439.6507
any hour of the day, any day of the week.

Offices:
Walk ins available at:
Hyannis, Falmouth and Orleans offices
during business hours
(Provincetown by appointment only)

Hyannis Main Office

160 Bassett Lane
HYannis, MA 02601
Appointments: 508-771-6507
Fax: 508-778-0143
Mon-Thurs 9:00am-7:00pm
Fridays 9:00am-5:00pm
Walk-ins welcome

Directions

Falmouth Office

220 Main St. 2nd fl. Suite 200
Falmouth, MA 02540
(near Falmouth Library)
(parking available in rear)
Appointments: 508-771-6507
Mon & Fri 9:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-11:00am
Tues. & Thurs. 9:00am-7:00pm
Walk-ins welcome

Directions

Orleans Office

5 Namskaket Rd. Unit 1
(enter on Child’s Homestead)
Orleans, MA 02653
Appointments: 508-771-6507
Mon & Fri 9:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am-11:00am
Tues. & Thurs. 11:00am-7:00pm
Walk-ins welcome

Directions

Provincetown Office

2 Mayflower Ct.
Provincetown, MA 02657
Appointments: 508-771-6507
All sessions in Provincetown are by appointment only

Directions

MassRelay TTY and ASCII

MassRelay 711
English 800-720-3480 • Spanish 866-930-9252
Once connected with a relay operator, you will be prompted with “NUMBERS PLS GA” meaning the operator is ready for
you to input the phone number you want to call. After inputting the number, type GA to indicate to go-ahead.

Independence House is a Safe Space

Independence House is a LGBTQIA+ Safe Space. Independence House is accessible to all people, ages 5+, all gender identities, all sexual orientations, all cultures, all languages, all abilities and all disabilities.

Teen Dating Bill of Rights**

To always be treated with respect
To be in a healthy relationship
To not be hurt physically or emotionally
Abuse is never deserved and is never your fault
To refuse sex or affection at any time
To not have sex
To have friends & activities apart from boyfriend or girlfriend
To end a relationship

(**Love is Respect)

More Relationship Rights

Types of Dating Abuse

How to Help a Friend in Need

Do you have a friend who you’re concerned is in an unhealthy relationship?
Do you have questions about how to be a support to him/her?
You’re already on the right track by looking into ways to support your friend.

How to Help a Friend

Connect with us on Social

@ih_teens
@ihteens
@ihteens
user/IndependenceHouseInc.9649/videos

Check out the latest Blog

Sex, Alcohol, and Consent

by IH Teen Counselor | Jun 25, 2023 | Abuse, General Information, Relationships, Sexual Assault

For many years I taught a freshmen high school health class which included the topic of sexual assault. In one class, I showed a video, and we processed the scenario afterwards. The Video: A depiction of a female college freshman and a male college junior coming from...

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