What is Dating Abuse?
Dating abuse includes any behaviors that are used to control and manipulate a dating partner. These behaviors may include the following:
Physically abusive behaviors such as hitting, shaking, throwing, things, forcing unwanted sexual actions, choking, and using a weapon
Emotionally abusive behaviors such as ignoring a date’s feelings, insulting a date’s beliefs or values, isolating a date from others, displaying inappropriate anger, damaging personal property, humiliating a date in private or public, and threatening to hurt oneself
Parents can be a very important resource in preventing dating abuse and in helping teenagers remove themselves from abusive relationships.
Keeping your Teen Safe on a Date
Dating abuse is a serious issue that can touch the life of any teen. Adolescents of all races and income levels are at risk for being involved in an abusive relationship. Both males and females can be abused, and both males and females can be the abusers.
Between 10 and 38 percent of high school students have been victims of dating violence. Amonth students who are currently dating, as many as 59 percent have experienced physical violence, and 96 percent have experienced psychological or emotional abuse.
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