According to experts at the National Centers for Disease Control, dating abuse, or intimate partner violence, occurs between two partners in close relationship. Dating violence can include a variety of behaviors, such as making emotionally abusive comments or controlling or threatening a partner. Signs of potentially abusive behavior include excessive jealousy or efforts to limit a partner's contact with friends and family members. Over time, this can escalate into physically violent behavior.
Healthy Dating Relationships
According to Planned Parenthood, a healthy dating relationship is one in which both partners gain a sense of enjoyment from taking part in shared activities. Partners have a sense of respect and trust, and they take time to get acquainted, learning about each others' values, interests and goals. Planned Parenthood notes that partners in healthy dating relationships have a sense of security and safety in the relationship.
Warning Signs
According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, behaviors such as excessive control toward a partner and extreme jealousy and possessiveness can be initial warning signs of an abusive partner. Abusive individuals tend to get involved in dating relationships very quickly and often want to spend a great deal of time with a partner, to the point where it might limit the partner from outside activities or contact with friends. Other warning signs include emotionally abusive behavior, such as excessive criticism and insults, and violent behaviors, such as breaking objects, and pushing or hitting a partner.
Risk Factors for Abuse
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are a variety of factors that increase a person's potential to engage in dating abuse. Individuals who have been exposed to intimate partner violence in the past, especially as children, are at higher risk to repeat these behaviors. Excessive use of alcohol or drugs also can increase the potential for abusive behavior. People under stress due to employment or financial issues are also at higher risk to engage in abusive behaviors.
Getting Help
According to Planned Parenthood, victims of dating abuse might have difficulties ending a relationship because of concerns about their personal safety. Partners in an abusive dating relationship should talk to a trusted friend, qualified medical professional or a victim's resource center, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline. It is critical to have a clear plan for ending an abusive relationship, and developing a proper support system is a part of planning.
Expert Insight
According to Planned Parenthood, since all relationships can experience challenges, it can often be difficult to define whether a relationship is healthy. When a relationship has unhealthy qualities, the partners might choose to work on the issues by seeking professional counseling or peer support. The Centers for Disease Control, Planned Parenthood and the National Center for Victims of Crime all agree that relationships that make one or both partners feel emotionally or physically unsafe have a high potential for abuse, and partners should seek help from community or professional resources.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Understanding Intimate Partner Violence
- National Violence Resource Center: Sating Violence Resource Center
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Violence Against Women: Dating Violence
- Planned Parenthood: Are You Safe in Your Relationship?
- The National Center for Victims of Crime: Dating Violence
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