Teen Dating Violence
Dating abuse and violence is a pattern of controlling behavior in the context of a current or former relationship when one person uses intimidating, threatening, harmful, or harassing behavior designed to create fear in the victim.
Caring Unlimited offers individualized, one on one advocacy for students and staff experiencing or impacted by dating violence, as well as offering informative, current training designed specifically for educators, administrators, and students.
What Is Dating abuse?
Experiencing dating abuse, or wondering if you are, can be scary and lonely.
Below are a few questions to consider based on common abusive behaviors and the experiences we hear from victims/ survivors.
Are you dating someone who…
Makes or carries out threats to control your behavior and/or cause you to be afraid?
Shares or threatens to share texts, pictures, or other messages to embarrass or control you?
Tells you what you can or can’t wear, makes all the decisions, and defines your roles in the relationship?
Insists you spend time with only him/her/them, and/or doesn’t let you see friends or talk to other friends or family members?
Manipulates or threatens you to engage in unwanted sexual contact, including not respecting if you say no?
If you believe you or someone you know is experiencing dating abuse, or if you want a chance to ask more questions about the behaviors described above, you can speak with a Caring Unlimited advocate anytime by calling the 24 Hour Helpline: 1-800-239-7298.
Or email our Youth Advocate directly at: ya@caring-unlimited.org.
A healthy relationship
is one in which partners treat each other with respect, support each other’s goals, and expect each other to have their own opinions, feelings, friends, and activities.
In an equal relationship, partners make decisions together, work out compromises, admit mistakes, and communicate openly and truthfully.
For More Information About Teen Dating Abuse
Caring unlimited
24 Hours: 1-800-239-7298
ya@caring-unlimited.org
Request a Training or Presentation
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM)
1-800-313-9900
National teen dating abuse helpline
1-866-331-9474