As with domestic violence, there are many types of dating violence, ranging from emotional to psychological to physical to sexual. Similarly, dating violence is not about drugs or alcohol or anger issues, it’s about power and control of one person over another.
You may be at risk of dating violence if your partner:
- pressures you for commitment
- is jealous and possessive
- manipulates you with lies
- forbids you to see your friends
- intimidates you
- touches you against your will
- physically hurts you
- threatens to hurt you if you tell someone or leave
- blames other people, including you, for their problems, mistakes, or misfortunes
- views you as their inferior
- changes from loving to violent from minute to minute
- is cruel to animals or people
- forces sexual activity on you
- is cruel to animals or people
These warning signs of dating violence share the characteristics of unhealthy relationships. Read more.
If you feel a friend of yours is a victim of dating violence, here’s what you can do to help:
- Tell your friend you believe them.
- Assure your friend it is not their fault.
- Let your friend know they don’t deserve to be mistreated.
- Encourage your friend to take a self defense class or to make a safety plan.
- Share the link to our website with your friend and let them know we are here to help.
For more information or assistance with dating violence, call Amy Gettings, director of our Children’s Intervention Program, at 503.640.5352 x302.
