What Is Relationship Abuse?
Last reviewed: 1/4/2023
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is the intentional pattern of behaviors used to exert power and control over a family member. In New York State, domestic violence refers to individuals who are or were married, have a child in common, or are related by blood.
Domestic violence occurs in many forms and it exists on a spectrum. Abusive behavior can be physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial, and academic, and is usually a combination of several of these factors.
What Is Dating Violence?
Dating violence is the intentional pattern of behaviors used to exert power and control over a dating or romantic partner. In New York State, dating violence refers to violations that occur within an intimate relationship.
Similar to domestic violence, dating violence occurs in many forms, including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, financial, and academic abuse. Young people experience dating violence at significant rates. Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 experience the highest rate of intimate partner violence.There are lots of terms and definitions that apply to this issue from a legal, educational, and/or advocacy framework. Other terms often used to describe domestic/dating violence include intimate partner violence, dating abuse, relationship violence, and relationship abuse.
What Are the Warning Signs of Abuse?
- Comes on strong, says, “I love you” early, pressures for a commitment right away
- Isolates partner from friends and family
- Blames partner for inciting abusive behaviors
- Uses threats to get what they want
- Is in constant contact, wants to know partner’s whereabouts at all times
- Checks email or social media accounts without partner’s permission; insists on sharing passwords
- Puts someone down, humiliates them in front of others
- Pressures a partner to have sex