- Dating abuse is defined as: "Any hurtful or unwanted physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional act inflicted by a casual or intimate dating partner."
Source: C. McShane, "Warning: Dating May Be Hazardous To Your Health", 1988
- Every 16 seconds, a woman in the U.S. is beated.
Source: The F.B.I.
- Abusers are found in all classes and types of people: rich, poor, professional, unemployed, black, white, urban, and rural.
- More than 1 in 10 teens-- about 12%-- experience physical violence in their dating relationships.
Source: "Teen Dating Violence", Social Work, November/December 1986
- An average of 28% of high school and college students are assaulted by someone they are or were dating.
- 42% of all women who are murdered in this country are killed by their husband or boyfriend.
- 34% of men and women have directly witnessed an incidence of domestic violence.
- One out of every four gay and lesbian couples experiences domestic violence in their relationship-that's approximately the same rate as straight couples.
- Jealousy and possessiveness are a sign that a person sees you as a possession. It is the most common early warning sign of abuse.
- Over 1/3 of women who are victimes of domestic violence report that their children are also being abused.
Source: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- 81 out of every 100 men who beat their wives watched their fathers beat their mothers or were abused themselves.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
- Abusers believe they have the right to use abuse to control their partner, and they see the victim as less than equal to themselves. The victim has no control over the abuser.
- People stay in abusive relationships for many reasons, including fear, economic dependence, and confusion. People who stay in abusive relationships often think that the abuser needs their help or will change.
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