Dating Abuse can happen to:
Any Gender, any Race, any Sexual Orientation, any Socioeconomic Status,
any Religion, any Culture, ANYONE!
What is Dating Abuse?
Technically: Dating Abuse is when one partner exerts power and control over the other.
What does that mean? Abuse is not about being angry or out of control; it is not because someone is drinking or using drugs. There is never an excuse to abuse. Abuse is about one partner wanting complete control and ownership of the other.
What does that mean? Abuse is not about being angry or out of control; it is not because someone is drinking or using drugs. There is never an excuse to abuse. Abuse is about one partner wanting complete control and ownership of the other.
There are many different types of abuse:
Verbal/Emotional. Yells and threatens. Insults and put downs. Constantly monitors and checks in. Humiliates. Isolates. Intimidates. Blames. Smashes and destroys things. Threatens suicide.
Physical. Uses force. Hits, bites, chokes, kicks, or strangles. Uses a weapon. Grabs or pinches.
Sexual. Unwanted touching, kissing, or other sexual acts. Unwanted aggressive sexual behavior. Restricts access to birth control. Threatens to cheat or leave if sexual needs are not met. Refuses to allow protection from STI’s. Does not respect partners right to say ‘no.’
Financial. Does not allow partner to work. Takes control of the money. Gets partner fired.
Stalking. Repeatedly watched, followed, or harassed. Surprise visits. Showing up uninvited.
Digital. Using phone and social media to keep in constant contact. Using technology to harass and spread rumors. Forces sexting. Sends unwanted sexts. Insists on knowing all passwords. Reads all texts. Monitors phone calls. Has to approve ‘friends.’
Verbal/Emotional. Yells and threatens. Insults and put downs. Constantly monitors and checks in. Humiliates. Isolates. Intimidates. Blames. Smashes and destroys things. Threatens suicide.
Physical. Uses force. Hits, bites, chokes, kicks, or strangles. Uses a weapon. Grabs or pinches.
Sexual. Unwanted touching, kissing, or other sexual acts. Unwanted aggressive sexual behavior. Restricts access to birth control. Threatens to cheat or leave if sexual needs are not met. Refuses to allow protection from STI’s. Does not respect partners right to say ‘no.’
Financial. Does not allow partner to work. Takes control of the money. Gets partner fired.
Stalking. Repeatedly watched, followed, or harassed. Surprise visits. Showing up uninvited.
Digital. Using phone and social media to keep in constant contact. Using technology to harass and spread rumors. Forces sexting. Sends unwanted sexts. Insists on knowing all passwords. Reads all texts. Monitors phone calls. Has to approve ‘friends.’
If it is happening, help is out there. Give us a call. You do not have to be alone.
