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DATING VIOLENCE
WHAT IS DATING VIOLENCE?
Dating Violence consists of
verbal, emotional, psychological, physical, and/or sexual abuse of one person by
another in a dating relationship. It includes...
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Degrading remarks and jokes. |
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Threats. |
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Punches, kicks, and slaps. |
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Restraining, choking, and suffocating. |
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Sexual abuse. |
Be cautious of guys who seem
intrusive, controlling, possessive, and/or fall in love too fast.
Remember, jealousy is not a sign of love. Cruelty to animals is often
a warning sign for dating violence.
JAMES AND KIM
In the first few weeks of the
relationship, James was so romantic. He sat with Kim at lunch everyday and
even surprised her with flowers on their one month anniversary.
Over time, however, James began to try to make more of Kim s decisions for her.
He convinced her to stop hanging out with her best friend of five years because
he thought she wasn't a good friend for Kim. At first, Kim thought James
was looking out for her, but gradually she realized he was becoming more and
more controlling of her.
Kim tried to walk away from James one night after he had accused her of going
out with one of his friends. James grabbed her by the arms so forcefully
that she had bruises the next day.
James apologized for scaring and hurting Kim and said he'd never do it again.
Kim believed James and the relationship continued. But James did do it
again. In fact, he began to be more forceful, pushing and even hitting her
on occasions.
With time and the support of a good friend, Kim saw how violent James had become
and she left the relationship. It wasn't easy. But Kim did
eventually get away.
STATISTICS
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1 in 3 teens experience violence in their
dating relationship. |
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95%
of the victims are female. |
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95%
of the perpetrators are male. |
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Dating violence occurs among all races, religions, classes, etc. |
See also:
ACQUAINTANCE/DATE RAPE
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