Dating abuse or dating violence is defined as the perpetration or threat of an act of violence by at least one member of an unmarried couple on the other member within the context of dating or courtship. It is also when one partner tries to maintain power and control over the other through abuse/violence. This abuse/violence encompasses all forms: sexual assault, sexual harassment, threats, physical violence, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse, social sabotage, and stalking.
Dating violence crosses all racial, age, economic and social lines. The Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness describes dating abuse as a "pattern of abusive and coercive behaviors used to maintain power and control over a former or current intimate partner." The Family & Community Development support group at eCitizen in Singapore has described what it calls tell-tale signs of an abusive relationship.
These can include psychological abuse, emotional blackmail, sexual abuse, physical abuse and psychological manipulation.
Read more about Dating Abuse: Profiles of Abuser and Victim
Famous quotes containing the words dating and/or abuse:
“We go on dating from Cold Fridays and Great Snows; but a little colder Friday, or greater snow would put a period to man’s existence on the globe.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Th’ abuse of greatness is when it disjoins
Remorse from power.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)