This incident has sparked a national conversation about dating abuse - what it is, and what you can do when it affects you or a friend, a family member, a colleague, or anyone you care about.
The materials and organizational links included here will help teens and young adults identify and respond to abuse in dating relationships.
Are you concerned about your relationship? Does your partner scare, criticize, or blame you? Does your partner tell you what to do and who to see? Has your partner ever hurt or threatened you, or pressured you to have sex? You are not alone.
Abuse happens in every culture, every country, every age group, and it may be happening to you. No one deserves to be abused or threatened. You cannot stop your partner's abuse, but you can find help and support for yourself.
What You Can Do
• Call the police if you are in danger and seek medical attention if you are hurt.
• Talk with somebody you trust such as a friend or relative, someone from your job or house of worship, or your health care provider.
• Create a safety plan
- A College Student's Guide to Safety Planning
- A Teen's Guide to Safety Planning
• Remember that you are the expert about your own life. Don't let anyone talk you into doing something that's not right for you.
(Adapted from the Family Violence Prevention Fund and TheSafeSpace.org)
Is your relationship is healthy? Take this quiz
Is your relationship hurting you? Take this quiz
Need more information? www.thesafespace.org/ is the most comprehensive source about dating violence on the web.
Need to talk to an expert? National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (live chat or 1-866-331-9474 or 1-866-331-8453 TTY) The Helpline and loveisrespect.org offer real-time one-on-one support from trained Peer Advocates. Managed by the National Domestic Violence Hotline (NDVH).
