Did you Know

o Usually we only hear about women who are abused by their husbands. Abusive behaviour can also begin when two people are dating. One partner feels the need to be in constant control and will use physical, verbal, social and emotional abuse to get or keep this control over the other person. o Teen dating violence, like adult abuse, is about power and a desire to control. Adult and teen abuse are similar but some things are different. Teens may rely more on the approval of their peers. As a result, many teens decide on acceptable behaviour based on how it is interpreted by their friends. Also teens' lack of experience in dating and relationships may make an abusive situation more confusing. Teens are also more reluctant to confide in adults which may allow the abuse they are experiencing to continue. o Although both young men and women may act abusively, the abuse of women by men is more common and usually more severe. o Dating violence can happen in casual or serious dating relationships. Abuse can happen on your first date or after you have been dating for a long time. It can happen once, or repeatedly, regularly or occasionally. It is all abusive. o If abuse happens once in a dating relationship, it is likely to happen again. It tends to get worse over time. o Violence can occur in all kind of relationships. It can happen in gay and lesbian relationships and in heterosexual relationships. o Often the person being abused thinks they are the only one. They may feel ashamed and blame themselves. Abuse is never the victim's fault. No one deserves to be hurt. o Dating violence is more likely to happen when the abuser has been drinking or using drugs. This often leads people to blame alcohol or drug use for the problem. In fact, abusers use alcohol as an excuse for being violent. o Many people think a relationship is not abusive unless it involves physical or sexual abuse. Emotional abuse is also very damaging. Although there are no visible scars, it is as dangerous as other forms of abuse. o Dating abuse is often part of a continuing pattern of behaviour. If your girlfriend or boyfriend was abusive in a previous relationship, then the risk is very high that they will be abusive in this relationship. Tell your friends if you've been abused on a date so they don't get involved with the abuser. o Teens are at a greater risk of experiencing abuse while they are pregnant. In fact, abuse often begins or intensifies after the partner learns of her pregnancy.