What is Teenage Dating Abuse?

It’s a pattern of physical, sexual, verbal and/or emotional abusive or controlling behavior in a dating relationship in teenagers from the ages of 14-24. 

Physical Abuse - Any intentional contact with another person’s body and it does not have to leave a mark.  Examples:

            Kicking                                   Choking/Strangling

            Pulling Hair                           Biting

            Pushing                                  Slapping

            Punching                                Throwing objects

Sexual Abuse – Any Sexual behavior that is unwanted.  Example:

            Unwanted kissing or touching

            Forcing you to go further sexually then you want to

            Not letting you or him use protection

Verbal/Emotional Abuse – Saying things to cause you to be afraid and /or have a low self esteem.  Trying to manipulate or control your feeling and/or behaviors.  Example:

            Name calling/using degrading words

            Insults you, family and/or friends

            Yelling & Screaming

            Threaten to harm you or a loved one

            Embarrassing you

            Intimidation

            Making you feel responsible for abusive ways

            Threaten to harm himself

All of these actions can also be done with today’s technology i.e. text messaging, emails, voice mail and social websites.

If you have experienced one or more of these things you may be in an abusive relationship.