Dating Violence and Domestic Violence (also known as Intimate Partner Violence or Relationship Violence) occurs when there is abuse in a relationship. It's not just physical abuse. It also includes other abusive and controlling behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over the other partner, such as:

• Emotional and verbal abuse - insulting and calling a partner names, constantly criticizing, isolating a partner from family and friends, monitoring a partner's activities, humiliating a partner, threatening a partner, damaging a partner's belongings, blaming a partner for the abusive behavior, or gaslighting a partner by pretending not to understand, questioning facts, and denying statements or actions.
• Financial abuse - using money to control a partner.
• Sexual abuse - forcing a partner to engage in non-consensual sexual activity.
• Digital abuse - using technology and the internet to bully, harass, stalk, intimidate, or control a partner.

Abuse can occur at any stage of a relationship. 

People of all ages, races, genders, sexuality, religion, education level, or income level can be victims or perpetrators of abuse.

Source: National Domestic Violence Hotline

• 1 in 11 female and 1 in 14 male high school students report having experienced physical violence in the last year.
• 1 in 8 female and 1 in 26 male high school students report having experienced sexual dating violence in the last year.
• 26% of women and 15% of men who were victims of contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime first experienced these or other forms of violence by that partner before age 18.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

• 43% of LGBT youth and 29% of heterosexual youth reported being victims of physical dating violence.
• 59% of LGBT youth and 46% of heterosexual youth reported emotional abuse from a dating partner.
• 37% of LGBT youth and 26% of heterosexual youth reported cyber/phone abuse and harassment.
• 23% of LGBT and 12% of heterosexual youth have reported sexual coercion.

Source: Teen Dating Violence - Urban Institute Study Summary

Anyone can be an abuser. 

Warning Signs

• Physical harm in any form - pushing, hitting, kicking, pinching, biting, etc.
• Extreme jealousy or insecurity
• Explosive outbursts, anger, or mood swings
• Isolating you from your friends or your family - physically, financially, or emotionally
• Putting you down frequently or humiliating you, especially in front of other people
• Checking your phone, email or social media without your permission

Source: love is respect

National Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (English and Español)
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (English and Español)
• Love is Respect (English and Español)

Community Resources

• Family Services of Southeast Texas
• Crisis Center of Southeast Texas