About Violence
Teen Dating Violence is a pattern of actions and attitudes in dating relationships where one person makes another person feel powerless, controlled, and scared.
MYTH: Boys are never victims of dating violence. They can only be the abusers. (click to open)
MYTH: If you love someone enough, you can change their abusive behavior.
FACT: You are not responsible for the behaviour of an abusive partner. Often reinforced by films, music, and the rest of the media, girls most often are socialized to believe that they can, and must, transform all that is wrong in a relationship. Instead, we need to recognize that only those who help themselves will be transformed. Behaviour is a choice and you are not to blame for someone else’s violent or abusive behaviour.
MYTH: People who are abusive under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not responsible for their actions.
FACT: Violence is a choice, and there are better choices. Drugs and alcohol are excuses for abusive behaviour and they lower your inhibitions. If a person who is abusive is using either drugs and/or alcohol, they have 2 separate and serious problems. Being on drugs or alcohol does NOT relieve an abusive partner of responsibility for their own behaviour.
Physical
Emotional
Sexual
Financial
Spiritual
Technological
Did this make you think about your relationship?
It’s worth asking some questions about what happens in YOUR relationship.
report knowing a friend or peer who has been physically abused by their partner.
