Types of Dating Abuse

When you hear about dating abuse – what do you think of? Many people immediately think of physical violence but dating abuse can occur in many different forms. If you’re experiencing any of these behaviors, it may be a red flag that the relationship you’re in is abusive.

Everyone has a right to a relationship free of abuse.

If you have questions about abuse that you or someone you know is experiencing, reach out to an Independence House Teens counselor.

Physical abuse is any contact that is unwanted and causes someone to feel unsafe. Examples can include:

Hitting, punching, biting, and/or kicking
Physically restraining you from doing something or going somewhere
Throwing something at you
Pushing you
Pulling your hair
Choking you

SEXUAL ABUSE

Sexual abuse includes any pressure or force to cause unwanted sexual activity. Examples can include:

Rape
Withholding birth control
Unwanted touching or kissing
Pressuring someone to have sex
Forced sexual acts
Sexual contact with consent

EMOTIONAL/VERBAL ABUSE

Emotional/verbal abuse includes behaviors that cause emotional pain without physically touching a person. Examples can include:

Yelling/screaming
Putting you down
Calling you names
Threatening you (including threatening to commit suicide)
Starting rumors about you
Humiliating you
Blaming you for their actions/decisions
Giving you the silent treatment or ignoring you

FINANCIAL ABUSE

Financial abuse includes behaviors to control how money impacts you. Examples can include:

Telling you what you can/cannot buy
Preventing you from having access to your own financial accounts
Controlling the hours you work or where you work
Requiring that you share your bank account passwords/pin code
Opening credit accounts in your name
Requiring that you ask for money for necessities or withholding money for necessities

DIGITAL ABUSE

Digital abuse includes using technology to control or harass you. Examples can include:

Constantly texting or calling you to check up on you
Monitoring your activity on social media, your phone, or your computer
Forces you to share your passwords
Uses tracking devices (GPS, apps, etc.) to monitor you
Sends you negative or harassing texts or messages through email or social media
Pressures you to send inappropriate texts or messages