Dating Violence

Dating violence is when one person purposely causes physical or psychological harm to another person they are dating, including sexual assault, physical abuse, and psychological/emotional abuse. It is a serious crime that occurs in both casual and serious relationships, and in both heterosexual and same-sex relationships. Sometimes, a victim might unknowingly be given alcohol or "date rape" drugs like Rohypnol. Date rape drugs are often slipped into a victim's drink while a person is in a social setting such as a club or party. These drugs, as well as alcohol, can make a person unable to resist assault, and have a type of amnesia so she is uncertain about what happened. The victim is then left to deal with the trauma of the sexual assault and the uncertainty surrounding the specifics of the crime. Unfortunately, most cases of dating violence are not reported to the police.

Violence against women by anyone is always wrong, whether the abuser is someone you date; a current or past spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend; a family member; an acquaintance; or a stranger. You are not at fault. You did not cause the abuse to occur, and you are not responsible for the violent behavior of someone else.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of dating violence, seek help from other family members and friends or community organizations. Reach out for support or counseling. Talk with a health care provider, especially if you have been physically hurt. Learn how to minimize your risk of becoming a victim of dating violence before you find yourself in an uncomfortable or threatening situation. And, learn about how to get help for sexual assault and abuse. Another important part of getting help is knowing if you are in an abusive relationship. There are clear signs to help you know if you are being abused.

If you're a victim of violence at the hands of someone you know or love or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. To get immediate help and support call
The National Domestic Violence Hotline at:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Publications

Date Rape: A Power Trip (Copyright © NCPC) - This on-line publication explains what date rape is and discusses attitudes about date rape. It also recommends actions that women and men can take to protect themselves and others from date rape.
Drug-Facilitated Rape: Looking for the Missing Pieces - This article discusses rape-facilitating drugs, their prevalence, what is being done to reduce drug-facilitated rape, and implications for decisionmakers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Date Rape Drugs - This fact sheet answers common questions about GHB, Rohypnol, and Ketamine, drugs of abuse also commonly called the "Date Rape Drugs," because when given to an unsuspecting person the victim may be physically helpless, unable to refuse sex, and unable to remember what happens. It explains what these drugs look like, the symptoms or effects they have on the body, legal concerns, and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim. It also discusses how drinking too much alcohol can leave one vulnerable to rape or assault.
What You Can Do if You Are a Victim of Crime - This publication contains information on what you can do if you've been a victim of crime and lists resources to help.

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Last updated: March, 2003


Search our database by Health Topic or enter your own keywords