Dating Violence is any hurtful or unwanted physical, 
sexual, verbal or emotional act inflicted by someone 
you are dating either casually or seriously.

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.