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Dating Abuse & Violence
What is Dating Abuse?
Dating abuse is a pattern of controlling behavior that someone uses against a girlfriend or boyfriend. It can range from verbal and emotional abuse — name-calling, constant insults, controlling what one wears, isolation from family or friends — to physical violence and sexual abuse. Dating abuse can happen to anyone:
- 1 in 4 adolescents — boys and girls — experience dating violence before graduating high school.
- 1 in 3 teens report knowing someone who has been physically hurt by a partner.
- 1 in 3 teens have been text messaged 10–30 times an hour by a partner to find out where they are, who they are with, or what they are doing.
We all have the right to be treated with respect.
IN AN EMERGENCY, CALL 911 FOR HELP
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Dating Violence Quiz
Does your boyfriend or girlfriend:
- Control where you go, what you wear, or what you do?
- Try to stop you from seeing or talking to family or friends?
- Force you to do something sexual when you don’t want to?
- Call you derogatory names, put you down or criticize you?
- Threaten or scare you?
- Hit, slap, push or kick you?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, your health and safety may be at risk.
Choose to Date. Choose to be Safe.
These are your dating rights and responsibilities. You have the right …
- To be treated with respect.
- To be in a healthy relationship.
- To not be abused — physically, sexually or emotionally.
- To feel safe in my relationships.
- To leave a relationship at any time.
You have the responsibility …
- To determine your limits and values.
- To refuse to abuse — physically, sexually or emotionally.
- To respect your boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s limits, values, feelings and beliefs.
- To not exert power or control in a relationship.
- To ask for help from friends, family and trusted adults.
Help is Available
If you or someone you know may be in an abusive relationship, there are people you can talk to and resources that can help.
In Bucks County:
A Woman’s Place 24-Hour Hotline: 1-800-220-8116
www.awomansplace.org
NOVA 24-Hour Hotline:
1-800-675-6900
www.novabucks.org
For more information:
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 866-331-9474
www.loveisrespect.org
