Did you know...

• One in eleven high school students said they had been hit, slapped, or physically hurt by their boyfriend or girlfriend.
• One in eleven students reported that they had been forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to.
• 96% report emotional and psychological abuse in dating relationships.
• Dating violence and sexual abuse is about power and control.

Take This Quiz

Does your boyfriend or girlfriend...

• Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
• Act jealous or possessive?
• Put you down or criticize you?
• Try to control where you go, what you wear or what you do?
• Text or IM you excessively?
• Blame you for the hurtful things they say and do?
• Threaten to kill or hurt you or themselves if you leave them?
• Try to stop you from seeing or talking to friends and family?
• Try to force you to have sex before you're ready?
• Hit, slap, push or kick you?

If you are in a dating relationship that in any way feels uncomfortable, awkward, tense, or even frightening, trust your feelings and get out of it. You have every right to say no. You have every right to date someone you don't "have to change".

If you or someone you know needs help, call (317) 745-1496 or visit www.loveisrespect.org for live chat with a peer advocate.

If you're in a dating relationship that in any way feels uncomfortable, awkward, tense or even frightening, trust your feelings and get out of it. It could become, or may already be, abusive. Always remember: You have every right to say no. No boyfriend or girlfriend has the right to tell you what you can or should do, what you can or should wear, or what kind of friends you should have.

If you are in a violent, or potentially violent, relationship, take the following steps:

Make a safety plan and get help. Talk with someone you trust - a teacher, guidance counselor, a doctor, a friend or parent. You may also want to contact the police or a local domestic violence shelter (Sheltering Wings 317.745.1496) or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE.

Be on the lookout for friends that may be in violent situations or relationships.

Do any of your friends show the warning signs? Do your friends show signs that they have been physically abused or injured in some way? Friends in abusive relationships may also change their style of clothing or makeup, lose confidence in themselves and begin to have difficulty making decisions, stop spending time with you or other friends, begin to receive failing grades, quit school activities, or turn to alcohol or drugs.

Take action if you suspect that someone you know is being abusive, or if you are hurting someone else have the courage to get help.

Ongoing support for Teen Dating Violence program is provided by CARe (Communities Against Rape Initiative). Special thanks to Duke Energy for sponsoring the Teen Dating Violence Program.