Types of Abuse

Teen dating abuse is a pattern of physically, sexually, verbally, and/or emotionally abusive behavior in a dating relationship.

Physical Abuse

Examples:

• Punching
• Slapping
• Scratching
• Kicking
• Pulling
• Pushing
• Shoving
• Pinching
• Poking
• Choking
• Using a weapon
• Biting
• Burning
• Scolding
• Strangling
• Hair pulling

 

Physical abuse does not have to leave a mark or a bruise

Sexual Abuse

Examples:

• Unwanted kissing or touching
• Forcing someone to go further sexually than he or she wants to
• Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity
• Not letting someone use birth control.
• Not letting someone use protection against sexually transmitted diseases.
• Rape

Any intentional behavior that is unwanted or interferes with the other girlfriend/boyfriend’s right to say “no”.

Verbal/Emotional Abuse
.
Examples:

• Calling the girlfriend/boyfriend names
• Wanting the girlfriend/boyfriend to change the way they dress, think, or act
• Ignoring the girlfriend/boyfriend in front of other people
• Humiliating or embarrassing the girlfriend/boyfriend
• Making fun of the girlfriend/boyfriend
• Making the girlfriend/boyfriend feel like they can never do anything right
• Checking up on the girlfriend/boyfriend and always calling, texting, wanting to know where they are
• Threatening to break up the girlfriend/boyfriend if they don’t do something they want
• Making decisions for the girlfriend/boyfriend or making them feel like they can’t make decisions on their own
• Blaming problems on the girlfriend/boyfriend
• Accusing the girlfriend/boyfriend of flirting or cheating
• Denying things that really happen
• Accusing the girlfriend/boyfriend of not really loving or caring about them
• Pressuring the girlfriend/boyfriend to do things they aren’t ready for
• Expecting the girlfriend/boyfriend to make excuses for them
• Expecting the girlfriend/boyfriend to do things they are not comfortable with
• Not allowing the girlfriend/boyfriend to disagree
• Invading the girlfriend/boyfriend’s privacy e.g  reading text messages
• Showing up places or calling places to make sure the girlfriend/boyfriend is there
• Not being loving in order to punish the girlfriend/boyfriend
• Telling the girlfriend/boyfriend that they will never find anyone else
• Saying they will harm themselves if they break up.