Teen dating violence or relationship abuse is the use of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal force by one dating partner towards another dating partner.

Abuse can cause injury and even death but it doesn’t have to be physical. It can take many different forms including:

• threats

• constant text messaging or instant messaging

• insults, isolation from family and friends

• sexual abuse,

• name-calling

• emotional abuse

• controlling a partner’s behavior and appearance.

It can happen to anyone, at any age, no matter what their race, religion, sexual orientation, level of education or economic background may be.