When Dateface Becomes Hateface

Abusers have perfected the art of Dateface so they’re not easy to recognize. They wear the mask of Romeo, a knight in shining armor, Juliet, or the damsel in distress, while they are in pursuit of their significant other; then, when the relationship is serious, they show the other face—the Hateface—behind closed doors. Their attentiveness, generosity, and protectiveness turns controlling and frightening when they have their other face on. Not only are abusers deceptive when they hide their true nature; they also practice deceit by causing injuries that can be hidden and do not require medical attention.

Even though it may be a learned behavior; people abuse by choice—it’s no accident. Abusers are compelled by the need for control. They learned to abuse to get what they want.

Abusers

Demeaners and Their Bad Demeaners

Batterers: the Ultimate Dateface

Get Help!

National Domestic Violence Hotline
http://www.ndvh.org/
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
http://www.ncadv.org/

National Network to End Domestic Violence
202-543-5566
http://www.nnedv.org/

American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.familydoctor.org/

The Family Violence Prevention Fund
http://www.endabuse.org/
415-252-8900

The Battered Women’s Justice Project
http://www.bwip.org/
800-903-0111

Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)
http://www.rainn.org/

American Psychiatric Association (APA)
703-907-7300 http://www.healthyminds.org/