Aljean T.

Fuertez
BSA 105A

1.) What is Dating Violence?

It is a pattern of abusive behaviors usually a series of abusive behaviors over
a course of time used to exert power and control over a dating partner. Every
relationship is different, but the things that unhealthy and abusive
relationships have in common are issues of power and control. Violent words
and actions are tools of an abusive partner uses to gain and maintain power
and control over their partner. Dating violence occurs when one person
purposely hurts or scares someone they are dating. It happens to people of
all races, cultures, incomes, and education levels on a first date, or when you
are deeply in love whether you are young or old, and in heterosexual or
same-sex relationships.
Dating Violence includes:
Physical abuse like hitting, shoving, kicking, biting, or throwing things
Emotional abuse like yelling, name-calling, bullying, embarrassing,
keeping you away from your friends, saying you deserve the abuse, or

giving gifts to "make up" for the abuse.

Sexual abuse like forcing you to do something sexual (such as kissing
or touching) or doing something sexual when you cannot agree to it

(like when you are very drunk).

Dating violence often starts with emotional abuse. You may think that
behaviors like calling you names or insisting on seeing you all the time are a
"normal" part of relationships. But they can lead to more serious kinds of
abuse, like hitting, stalking, or preventing you from using birth control. It can
cause serious harm to your body and your emotions.

2.) Why do people do it and how do we prevent it?

Abuse occurs in a dating relationship because abusers have a sense of
entitlement. They believe they have the right to behave this way, that they
are entitled to all of their partner's attention, affection, loyalty and time.
Because of this sense of entitlement the abuser makes the choice to engage
in this type of behavior. There is a misconception that alcohol, other drugs,
anger or stress cause dating violence because these factors often accompany
the violence. While these outside characteristics are a contributing factor to
the abuse), they do not cause someone to use violence against another
person. The reason abusers make the choice to use violence is because they
can, because it works and because they have the opportunity and selfinterest to do so.
To prevent this people especially students should receive education about
healthy relationships in as a part of health education. These lessons should
include understanding and identifying healthy and unhealthy relationship
patterns, effective ways to communicate relationship needs and manage
conflict, and strategies to avoid or end an unhealthy relationship. All young
people have the right to be safe in their relationships. Dating violence affects
young people in a unique way and can have long-lasting negative physical
and psychological consequences. Providing young people with the
communication and conflict resolution skills, support, and resources to avoid
or end unhealthy and violent relationships is key to their well-being.
Meanwhile, underlying causes such as poverty, and violence as a social norm,
must be addressed in order to bring an end to relationship violence.