Dating Violence

Dating violence is violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. This type of violence includes threats of, or use of, physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, economic or psychological behavior to influence or control the victim.

Behavioral Examples:

Examples of abusive behaviors can include, but are not limited to:

• Slapping or shoving a person
• Making the victim feel bad about themself
• Playing mind games
• Extreme jealousy or insecurity
• Explosive temper
• Possessiveness
• Making false accusations toward the victim
• Telling the victim what they can and cannot do

Dating violence includes but is not limited to sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. However, it is important to recognize that emotional, verbal, and economic abuse are part of the web of dating violence and can exist without the presence of physical abuse.