Dating Violence

Dating violence can occur in a romantic relationship and includes controlling, aggressive or abusive behavior. This can include verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse, or a combination of these. It can happen in straight or gay relationships. Anyone can be a victim of dating violence. Some victims only experience violence occasionally and others are abused more often, sometimes daily.

Some examples of controlling behavior include:

• Having to be with you all the time
• Texting or calling you very frequently to find out what you are doing and who you are with
• Telling you what you should wear
• Not letting you hang out or talk to your friends

Verbal and emotional abuse can include:

• Name calling
• Threatening to hurt you, your loved ones, or the person making the threat (themselves)
• Jealousy
• Putting you down (belittling you)

Sexual abuse can include:

• Forcing you to do sexual things
• Unwanted touching and kissing
• Not letting use birth control or not protecting against STDs
• Forcing you to have sex

Physical abuse can include:

• Shoving
• Hair pulling
• Kicking
• Pinching
• Slapping
• Punching
• Strangling

The counseling center provides free services to UW-W students. During the academic year, a professional advocate is available to discuss concerns about dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking. To make an appointment or to find out more, you can call 472-1305. Both of these resources are free and confidential. For more information about resources that are available to you at UW-Whitewater, please visit http://www.uww.edu/sasa/

More Information

The WCADV/WCASA LGBTQ Resource Library provides an overview of resources that are available to LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault.

Updated: 11/26/12