What is Teen Dating Violence?

Teen Dating Violence (aka relationship abuse) is a pattern of controlling and/or violent behaviors to maintain power over a dating partner. Dating Violence can be verbal, emotional, physical and/or sexual and can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, injury and even death. Teen Dating Violence shows up in many forms, including:

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• Threats to harm self or their dating partner

• Humiliation such as insults, name calling, etc.

• Intimidation

• Isolation from friends and family

• Possessive Jealousy

• Controlling what someone wears, who they are friends with, etc. 

• Hitting, punching, kicking, pinching

• Sexual harassment, coercion or rape

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What is Sexual Violence?

Sexual Violence is any sexual activity where consent in not freely given. Most forms of sexual violence are criminal acts. Sexual Violence affects people of all genders, sexual orientations, and ages and includes, but is not limited to:

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• Sexual coercion (forcing, convincing or threatening someone to engage in sexual activity)

• Sexual harassment (stalking, inappropriate jokes, comments or gestures, un-welcomed advances, etc.)

• Rape (sexual intercourse or penetration without consent)

• Child sexual abuse (sexual assault of a minor by an adult)

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Consent is given with a firm and enthusiastic YES! Maybe does not mean yes!

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What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is any behavior to gain power and control over a spouse, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend or family member. It can take make forms:

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• Physical Violence (hitting, pinching, kicking, punching, pushing, etc.)

• Sexual Violence (coercion, rape, sexual coercion)

• Emotional/Verbal Abuse (gaslighting, victim blaming, threatening harm, intimidation, dominance)

• Economic Abuse (withholding money, controlling finances, credit fraud, etc.)

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