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.