DATING VIOLENCE WARNING SIGNS OF UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS SEXUAL

DATING VIOLENCE WARNING SIGNS OF UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

SEXUAL HARASSMENT • Any unwanted conduct or communication of a sexual nature that negatively affect a person’s relationships, employment opportunities or environment. • Harassment may be verbal or physical.

EXAMPLES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT • Name Calling • Grabbing • Threats • Pushing • Inappropriate Jokes • Cornering • Spreading Rumors • Unwanted • Gestures/Leers • Writing on Bathroom Walls Kissing/Touching • Inappropriately touching body

HOW TO DEAL WITH SEXUAL HARASSMENT • Let the person know that you are uncomfortable with their behavior. Tell them to stop. Be assertive. • Tell someone you trust: parent, relative, coach, teacher, counselor, etc. • Keep a record of the harassment to show what’s been happening. • If you see or suspect something, say something!

TYPES OF ABUSE • Physical: Can begin with threats of violence, punching fist through wall, escalates to pushing, slapping, restraining, etc. Finally, it can become life threatening. • Sexual: Any non-consensual, forced sexual behavior. It may escalate to rape or sexual assault. • Emotional/Psychological: Mental violence that can include constant verbal threats and abuse, harassment, excessive possessiveness, isolating abused person from others, damage of personal property, intimidation, etc.

DATING VIOLENCE • A pattern of behavior to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation – often including the threat or use of violence. • It occurs when one person believes they are entitled to control another person and those involved are in an intimate or close relationship.

STATS ON TEEN DATING VIOLENCE • 1 in 4 teens will be in an abusive relationship • 1 in 8 teens will experience physical violence in a dating relationship. • 80% of assaults include pushing, shoving, slapping and grabbing. • Victims and abusers come from all different social and economic backgrounds.

RELATIONSHIP RED FLAGS WARNING SIGNS OF A PARTNER WHO IS OR MAY BECOME VIOLENT • Wants to get serious quickly • Will not take NO for an answer • Is overly jealous and possessive • Wants to choose their partners friends and activities • Is controlling and bossy (makes all the decisions)

RELATIONSHIP RED FLAGS • Puts partner down when alone and in front of others • Makes partner feel guilty – “If you really loved me you would…” • Blames the victim for behavior – “It’s your fault I get so angry. ” But, then apologizes – “I’ll never do it again, I promise. ” • Has strong ideas about gender roles.

WHY TEENS STAY • Embarrassed or ashamed • Afraid violence will escalate if they try to end the relationship • Convinced it’s their fault • No experience with healthy dating relationships • Confuse jealousy with love • Ignore reality – don’t know they’re being abused

WHY TEENS STAY • Afraid friends and family won’t believe them • Feel like there is no one they can turn to for support • Mix of “good times” and hope that partner will change • Believe that being involved with someone is the MOST important thing in their life – better to be with someone than to be alone

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? • If you or someone you know is in an abusive or unhealthy relationship. . . TELL SOMEONE! • Parents, friends, trusted adult, teacher, counselor, police, professional mental health worker.