Dating Violence

How your boyfriend or girlfriend treats you says a lot about your relationship. You have rights and responsibilities in a dating relationship. If something about your relationship scares you or bothers you – trust your instincts. You can call 24 hours a day and talk to someone about your concerns – the Safe Place hotline is 432-570-1465 or 1-800-967-8928. The National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline is 1-866-331-9474. Or visit the web site at loveisrespect.org.

Is your relationship abusive? Here are some red flags to look for –

Does the person you’re dating:

Embarrass you with put-downs or gossip about you?
Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
Control what you do, who you see, talk to, where you go, or what you wear?
Stop you from seeing your friends or family members?
Make all of the decisions?
Prevent you from working or attending school?
Act like the abuse is no big deal, it’s your fault, or even deny doing it?
Force you to have sex?
Intimidate you with guns, knives or other weapons?
Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?
Threaten to kill you or harm themselves if you break up?
Monitor your computer or phone use or text and IM you constantly?
Send you mean or scary emails, IM’s or text messages?

If you answered yes to ANY of these questions about your relationship or a friend’s relationship, there may be abuse. For more information you can call Safe Place 24 hours a day at 432-570-1465 or 1-800-967-8928. Or contact the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474. Their web site – loveisrespect.org – has a live chat room from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. central time.