Dating Violence
What is Dating Violence?
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Dating violence is more than just arguing or fighting. Dating violence is a pattern of controlling behaviors that one partner uses to get power over the other, including:
- any kind of physical violence or threat of physical violence to get control
- emotional or mental abuse, such as playing mind games, making a partner feel crazy, or constantly putting down or criticizing a dating partner
- sexual abuse, including forcing a dating partner into unwanted sexual acts, refusing to have safer sex, or making a partner feel bad about himself or herself sexually.
Michigan domestic violence laws apply to victims of dating violence. According to the Michigan Penal Code, a dating relationship means frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional involvement. In Michigan, dating violence is a punishable offense [assault & battery MCL 750.81, or assault with infliction of serious or aggravated injury: MCL 750.81a].
An important step to help yourself or someone you know in preventing or stopping violence is recognizing the warning signs listed on the Dating Violence Wheel.
A Victim’s Common Responses to Dating Violence
- Fear
- Helplessness
- Confusion
- Guilt
- Self-blame
- Shock
- Betrayal
- Disbelief
- Denial
- Anger
- Shame
- Physical injuries
- Fear of being pregnant
Source: National Center for Victims of Crime