From The US Department of Health and Human Services: Office on Women’s Health:
Dating violence is physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a romantic or sexual partner. It happens to people of all races and ethnicities, incomes, and education levels. It also happens across all age groups and in heterosexual and same-sex relationships. Some people call dating violence domestic abuse, especially when you live with your partner.
Dating violence includes:
- Emotional and verbal abuse — yelling, name-calling, bullying, isolating you from your family and friends, saying you deserve the abuse or are to blame for it, and then giving gifts to “make up” for the abuse or making promises to change
- Sexual assault and rape — forcing you to do any sexual act you do not want to do or doing something sexual when you’re not able to consent, such as when you’ve been drinking heavily
- Physical abuse — hitting, shoving, kicking, biting, throwing objects, choking, or any other aggressive contact
It can also include forcing you to get pregnant against your will, trying to influence what happens during your pregnancy, or interfering with your birth control.
Personal Rights in a Relationship
THE RIGHT to refuse requests without having to feel guilty or selfish.
THE RIGHT to express my feelings, physician including anger, sale as long as I don’t violate the rights of others.
THE RIGHT to be competitive and to achieve.
THE RIGHT to have my needs be as important as the needs of other people.
THE RIGHT to decide which activities will fulfill my needs.
THE RIGHT to make mistakes and be responsible for them.
THE RIGHT to have my opinions given the same respect and consideration as others’.
THE RIGHT to change my mind.
THE RIGHT to be independent.
THE RIGHT to be treated with respect.
THE RIGHT to be cooperative and giving and not be taken advantage of.
THE RIGHT to be safe.