Relationship abuse, or dating and domestic violence/abuse, is characterized by behaviors used by a person to gain and maintain power and control over their partner. Because relationships exist on a spectrum, it can be hard to tell when a behavior crosses the line from healthy to unhealthy or even abusive. Warning signs, or red flags, can indicate that a relationship is going in the wrong direction.
Abuse can take many forms, but it is important to remember that each type of abuse is serious and no one deserves to experience abuse in any kind.
Dating & Domestic Violence Articles
Emotional Abuse: Not All Abuse Leaves Bruises
When talking about domestic violence (or intimate partner violence/IPV), many people believe that if physical violence isn’t involved, then it’s not considered abusive. We often hear comments like, “well at least they don’t hit you,” or “they don’t hit me, so it’s not that bad.” Survivors of abuse not only hear others minimize verbal and emotional abuse, but [...]
Forgotten Victims
Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, culture, religion, sexual identity, or socioeconomic background. Historically women have been the most recognized victims or survivors of domestic violence, but approximately 1 in 7 men will experience intimate partner violence in their life compared to 1 in 4 women (www.thehotline.org). Domestic violence is [...]
Staying Safe While Leaving
This article includes dual perspectives regarding a survivor leaving a violent situation. Prevention Educator Claudia shares from the perspective of an advocate to friends or family members of a domestic violence survivor and Counselor Jessica, gives insight from a professional to a survivor on suggestions for safely leaving an abuser. We recognize that every survivor’s experience is different [...]
Download our 2023 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Toolkit!
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a nationwide effort to bring awareness to domestic violence and how it affects all of us. This toolkit includes activities for community members of all ages to raise awareness and create safe homes and communities for everyone. Here are two easy ways to get started with Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Wear Purple on [...]
BOOK REVIEW: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Summary Eleanor is a 15-year-old girl who recently moved back in with her mother, stepfather Ritchie, and 4 younger siblings after having been kicked out by her stepfather for a year. Her father is distant, emotionally negligent, and unavailable. Her mother is in a domestic violence relationship with Ritchie, which is primarily directed at her mom though also at [...]
BOOK REVIEW: Dreamland by Sarah Dessen
Summary After her 18-year-old sister runs away to escape the pressure of living out their parents' visions of her future, 16-year-ols Caitlin begins acting out. Behaving both in ways to fill and reject the expectations left behind by the absence of her sister, she becomes a cheerleader and starts dating a wealthy drug dealing 5th year senior named Rogerson. [...]
