Dating violence (or relationship abuse) is a pattern of over-controlling behavior that someone uses against a girlfriend or boyfriend. Dating violence can take many forms, including mental/emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. It can occur in both casual dating situations and serious, long-tem relationships.

Dating abuse can have serious consequences! The effects range from missing a few classes to attempting suicide. Abuse also affects future relationships. All consequences make compelling reasons to prevent abuse before it starts, or to speak out against it. 

Research has shown that 1 in 3 teens will experience dating violence and 2/3 of those who do experience it will never report it.

The following links offer useful advice if either you or someone you care about is involved in an abusive relationship:

• www.breakthecycle.org believes everyone has the right to safe and healthy relationships. They are the leading, national nonprofit organization addressing teen dating violence. They work every day towards their mission to engage, educate and empower youth to build lives and communities free from domestic violence.

• http://www.loveisrespect.org  is a Liz Claiborne Inc. initiative to address partner abuse with a teen dating abuse prevention curriculum, hand books, and more to help teens and their parents.

• www.thatsnotcool.com provides information about controlling or pressuring dating behavior using digital forums like instant messaging, social networking sites, and cell phones

• td411 is a downloadable app about teen dating violence. It has relationship quizzes, lists of warning signs, resources on how and where to get help (when they click "get help now" it uses the phone's GPS and provides a list of places in the area like domestic violence crisis centers with their addresses and phone numbers), information on how to confront a friend you think is being abused, as well as a section on technology and abuse. It also has links to other resources for more information on abuse and dating violence.