What Is Dating Abuse?
Dating abuse is a pattern of controlling behavior that someone uses against a girlfriend or boyfriend. It can range from verbal and emotional abuse — name-calling, constant insults, controlling what one wears, isolation from family or friends — to physical violence and sexual abuse. Dating abuse can happen to anyone:
- 1 in 4 adolescents — boys and girls — experience dating violence before graduating high school.
- 1 in 3 teens report knowing someone who has been physically hurt by a partner.
- 1 in 3 teens have been text messaged 10–30 times an hour by a partner to find out where they are, who they are with, or what they are doing.
We all have the right to be treated with respect.
IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911 FOR HELP
Dating Violence Quiz
Do you know someone who's boyfriend or girlfriend:
- Controls where they go, what they wear, or what they do?
- Trys to stop her/him from seeing or talking to family or friends?
- Forces her/him to do something sexual when she/he doesn’t want to?
- Calls her/him derogatory names, puts her/him down or criticizes her/him?
- Threatens or scares her/him?
- Hits, slaps, pushes or kicks her/him?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, that person's health and safety may be at risk.
Choose To Date. Choose To Be Safe.
These are your dating rights and responsibilities.
You have the right …
- To be treated with respect.
- To be in a healthy relationship.
- To not be abused — physically, sexually or emotionally.
- To feel safe in my relationships.
- To leave a relationship at any time.
You have the responsibility …
- To determine your limits and values.
- To refuse to abuse — physically, sexually or emotionally.
- To respect your boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s limits, values, feelings and beliefs.
- To not exert power or control in a relationship.
- To ask for help from friends, family and trusted adults.
