DATING VIOLENCE

Are you going out with someone who&

• Is jealous or possessive of you?
• Wont let you have friends?
• Checks up on you?
• Wont accept breaking up?
• Calls you names, makes you feel stupid, or tells you that you can't do anything right?
• Do they say that no one else would ever go out with you?
• Does the person you're involved with tell you where you can and can't go or who you can and can't talk to?
• Do you feel cut off from your friends and family?
• Do you feel if you say no to sexual activities that you will get in trouble?
• Do you feel pushed or forced into being sexual?
• Does the person say it's your fault when they hurt you?
• Does this person shove, grab, hit, pinch, hold you down or kick you?
• Is the person you're seeing really nice sometimes and really mean at other time (almost like they have two personalities)?
• Does this person make frequent promises to change? Do they pretend that they never hurt you? Or do they tell you that you are "making too big a deal" out of it?

If so, you are in an abusive relationship, or your current relationship may turn violent. Dating violence involves a pattern of abuse that may be physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual. Such abuse occurs just as frequently in same-sex relationships as in heterosexual relationships. It is important to realize that you are being abused, and that you are not alone.

If you are in an abusive relationship...

It is not your fault.

You deserve to be treated with respect.

Take it seriously.

Tell someone you trust.

Seek information and resources.

Realize that abuse does not go away. It only gets worse.

Get Help