What is Dating violence?

Dating violence is when violent acts occur between two people in a close relationship.

Dating violence can be physical, mental, emotional, psychological and sexual. Abuse is never okay, even if it is just cruel words or making someone feel ashamed. Dating Abuse ranges all the way up to 96% in middle school to high school students. Dating abuse happens in all different ways including through social media, texting and phone calls. The signs of abuse can be spotted early on if the person is pushy and demanding, becomes extremely jealous and possessive over you and is controlling. Nearly 1.5 million high school students across the nation experience abuse from a partner in just one year. One in 10 high school students has purposefully been hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

If you or someone you know is or has been the victim of dating abuse, you can get free help 24 hours a day through the National Abuse Helpline.

• Call 1-866-331-9474 or 1-866-331-8454
• www.loveisrespect.org (http://www.loveisrespect.org/)
• Text `loveis` directly to 77054 to chat with an advocate

For more information, visit the following sites.

• Girlshealth.gov-Healthy relationships- (http://girlshealth.gov/relationships/healthy/index.html)
• Girlshealth.gov-Safe relationships-(http://girlshealth.gov/safety/saferelationships/index.html)
• National Institute of Justice- (http://nij.gov/topics/crime/intimate/intimate-partner-violence/welcome.html)
• Office of Adolescent Health- (http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-health-topics/healthy-relationship/dating-violence.html)
• Office of Violence Against Women (http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/)
• Womenshealth.gov- (http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence-against-women/types-of-violence/dating-violence.html)
• Dating Matters- (http://vetoviolence.org/datingmatters/)