Did you know…
- 8.2% of California’s 11th grade students report being “hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose” by their partner
- Youth ages 16-24 experience the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence of any age group – a rate nearly triple the national average
Dating Violence
What is dating violence? Any behavior in an intimate or romantic relationship that tries to establish an imbalance of power and control between the couple.
* 1 in 3 teens have had an abusive experience
Voltage: Causing tension and stress. The victim attempts to control the situation to avoid the anger of the partner.
Violence: Explosion of abuse. Initially, a shorter cycle, but over time period grows in frequency and intensity.
Honeymoon: Reconciliation. The “promise” not to commit abuse again. Violence is minimized.
Types of Violence
Verbal: Using words to criticize, humiliate, and abuse you.
Emotional: Showing jealousy, depression, insecurity, anger, passion, and frustration. Ignoring or ridiculing your feelings. Threatening and frightening you. Destroying property or objects.
Psychological: Controlling what you do, how you look, and who you talk to.
Economic: Using money to control the engagement.
Sexual: Mocking your body. Treating you as a sexual object.
Physical/Isolation: Using physical violence to cause injury. Separating you from family and friends.
Digital: Harassment through technology. For example, a cell phone (calls and texts in excess) and the social internet (Facebook, MySpace, etc.)