Dating and Domestic Violence

Dating and domestic violence is never okay under any circumstances. Domestic violence is abuse by a parent, caregiver, intimate partner, or spouse. In a dating, live-in, or marital relationship, the abuser uses a pattern of behaviors to control and influence their mate through abusive actions or threats of actions. Non-discriminatory; it can affect people of all ages, sex, race, religion, education, marital status, sexual orientation, culture, IQ, or employment. A serious, widespread social problem, domestic violence comes in many forms (physical or verbal) and varied frequencies (all the time or once in a while). Often, the victim and the abuser are both in denial that the domestic violence is going on. There is a cycle to violence (incident, tension building, makeup, calm).

Domestic violence victims tend to have low self-esteem. The victim’s identity is defined by their relationship with their mate, children, or family. They are unsure of their own needs.

Survivors of domestic violence face many obstacles when they finally get up the courage to end the cycle of abuse. They may feel entrapped for psychological, economic, or physical reasons like disabilities, they may be physically isolated, they may not have social or familial support or alternatives to their abusive situation, they may fear social judgment because of religious and cultural values, their abuser may be threatening or intimidating them because of custody of children, separation of the relationship, or immigration status.