WHAT IS DATING
VIOLENCE?
Dating violence is the physical or verbal
abuse between partners in a casual or serious relationship.
PHYSICAL ABUSE INCLUDES:
- Pushing or shoving
- Slapping or kicking
- Hitting with or without an object
- Threatening with a gun or knife
- Forcing sexual relations
VERBAL ABUSE INCLUDES:
- Name calling
- Verbal threats
- Belittling
- Humiliation
- Isolation
WARNING SIGNS OF DATING VIOLENCE:
Control
Jealousy-possessiveness
Put downs
Name calling
Instilling fear, intimidation
Threats
DATING
VlOLENCE LEGAL FACTS
- Dating violence is a crime.
- August 11,1995 - dating violence became
part of the Violence Against Women Act.
- Protection Orders and the Criminal
Justice System are now available to survivors of dating violence.
YOUR DATING RELATIONSHIP
IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS
IF YOU...
·
are afraid of your boy/girl friend's temper
· have become isolated and have few friends
· give in easily to his/her demands because
you are afraid to upset him/her
·
have grown to expect abusive behavior as a part
of your life
·
are afraid to end the relationship because of
threats of violence or suicide
HOW TO HELP FRIENDS
WHO ARE BEING ABUSED
- Listen without blaming
- Be there for support
- Help them plan how to be safe
- Encourage them to tell their
parents
- Help them to see that what is
happening to them is abusive
- Be sensitive
- Tell them it is not their fault
- Give them the HOPE Center
Hotlines:
724-339-HOPE (4673) OR 724-224-HOPE (4673)
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ABUSER
- Low self-esteem
- Extremely jealous and possessive
- Dual personality - alternating between
extreme tenderness and extreme aggressiveness
- Inability to cope with anger and
stress
- Extreme mood swings
- Grew up in an abusive home
- Socially isolated - has few friends
- Very poor communication skills
- Suspicious - makes accusations
- Forcefully controlling
- Believes in using violence to solve
problems or have fun
- Abuses alcohol and drugs
- Blames, belittles, humiliates,
intimidates, shames and threatens
- Can be very charismatic
THE BOTTOM LINE
No matter what characteristics your
boy/girl friend may have, if you do not feel 100% safe, then you may be in
a dangerous situation. Trust your inner feelings. Either stop dating this
person or ask friends to join you when you go out with him/her. Call now
for information about a safety plan.
The HOPE
Center Hotlines
724-339-HOPE
(4673)
724-224-HOPE
(4673)
Toll Free
888-299-HOPE(4673)
For more information on how
to have the Dating Violence Program in your High School, please contact
the
Alle-Kiski Area HOPE Center
724-224-1100
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