What is dating violence?
Dating violence is any purposeful act of violence perpetrated against a dating partner, which may include sexual assault, physical abuse, and psychological or emotional abuse. Signs of potential violence are often evident before an incident of dating violence. These factors are most commonly associated with dating violence:
Sexual Entitlement
- Touching another person in a sexual way with no regard for their wishes
- Sexualizing relationships that are NOT sexual
- Using inappropriately intimate conversation
- Telling sexual jokes at inappropriate times or places
- Making inappropriate comments about women’s bodies and sexuality
Power and Control
- Being a “sore loser”
- Exhibiting inappropriate competitiveness
- Using intimidating body language
- Playing emotional games
- Restricting another’s choices and friends
- Repeated attempts at assigning guilt to another
Hostility and Anger
- Blaming others when things go wrong
- Transforming others’ emotions into anger
Acceptance of Violence
- Using violence to get a point across
- Approving observed violence in others
- Justifying violence
- Hitting, punching, or other vandalism