Women's Health: Dating
Violence
Myths
and Facts
Myth: Dating violence is not a problem in area
high schools/colleges.
Fact: One
in three teens who are dating are involved in an abusive relationship.
Myth: Dating violence
isn't really that serious.
Fact: Young women
have been strangled, thrown against walls, and attacked with weapons.
Others have even lost their lives as a result of a dating relationship.
Myth: Young men
are abused by young women just as often.
Fact: Although young
men are abused in relationships, the majority of people requesting
help have been young women.
Myth: Alcohol
and drugs cause a young man to batter.
Fact: Many young
men who batter do not drink heavily, and many alcoholics do not
abuse their partners. Further, young abusers who do drink don't
necessarily give up abusing when they give up drinking. While some
abusers do abuse when they are drunk, the alcohol acts as their
excuse.
Myth: If you love someone enough, you can change
their abusive behavior. Fact: People will only change when they accept
responsibility for their behavior and have a desire to change.
Myth: If she stays with him,
it mush not really be that bad.
Fact: Young people stay in abusive relationships
for a number of reasons; peer pressure, love, fear, not recognizing
that what's happening is abusive, belief that the abuser will
change. Liking it is not one of the reasons, nor it stupidity.
Myth: It's okay
as long as he doesn't hit her.
Fact: Verbal and
emotional abuse and control can be as devastating as physical violence.
No form of abuse or control should be tolerated.
Myth: Jealousy and possessiveness are a sign
of true love.
Fact: Jealousy
and possessiveness are a sign that the person sees you as a possession.
It is the most common early warning sign of abuse.
Myth: If she didn't
flirt so much, dress that way..., he wouldn't have hit her.
Fact: Victim blaming
is used to remove the responsibility from the abusive partner.
A young woman's behavior does not cause the abuse. Source:
Three
Rivers Free-Net Women's Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh <http://trfn.clpgh.org/womenscenter/datingviolence.htm>
Back to Women's Safety: Dating Violence
