Dating abuse
Dating or early relationship abuse is a type of domestic violence that is characterized by a pattern of behavior by one participant that may include the exercise of control, pressure, and even physical violence.
A person can become a victim of this type of abuse regardless of their gender, age, race or sexual orientation. Therefore, when you are on a first date with a new person, it is good to pay attention to even the smallest signs that signal that something in his behavior is unacceptable.
When relationships between two people show beginnings of a pattern of controlling and/or abusive behavior on the part of one partner, the situation can only get worse over time.
Signs to look out for
In this article, we will share some characteristic signs that distinguish the type of abuser during first dates or in the initial stage of the relationship in the first months. These signs can be both verbal (at the level of communication) and of an emotional, physical or technological nature.
Verbal abuse: • Calls you names that make you feel hurt, offended or humiliated;
• Tells you what clothes to wear;
• Texts and calls you constantly, more than expected/normal for the stage of relationship development;
• Demands to know where and who you are with;
• Threatens to hurt you.
• Tells you what clothes to wear;
• Texts and calls you constantly, more than expected/normal for the stage of relationship development;
• Demands to know where and who you are with;
• Threatens to hurt you.
Emotional Abuse: • Goes through your belongings behind your back;
• Acts jealous, accuses you of cheating/looking at other people;
• Makes you change your plans and comply with it completely;
• Prevents you from seeing friends/relatives;
• Blames you for everything.
• Acts jealous, accuses you of cheating/looking at other people;
• Makes you change your plans and comply with it completely;
• Prevents you from seeing friends/relatives;
• Blames you for everything.
Assault: • Grabs you and shakes you;
• Kisses you when you don't want to;
• Forces you into sexual relations without your consent;
• Refuses to use contraceptives, etc.
• Kisses you when you don't want to;
• Forces you into sexual relations without your consent;
• Refuses to use contraceptives, etc.
Technological abuses: • Tells you who you can or cannot be friends with on social networks;
• Sends you negative, abusive or threatening messages;
• Uses social networks to continuously monitor you;
• Constantly tags you in his/her profile updates;
• Sends you embarrassing photos or requests them from you;
• Pressures you to exchange messages of a sexual nature;
• Steals or claims to have access to your account passwords;
• Reads messages on your phone;
• Uses tracking software to monitor you, etc.
• Sends you negative, abusive or threatening messages;
• Uses social networks to continuously monitor you;
• Constantly tags you in his/her profile updates;
• Sends you embarrassing photos or requests them from you;
• Pressures you to exchange messages of a sexual nature;
• Steals or claims to have access to your account passwords;
• Reads messages on your phone;
• Uses tracking software to monitor you, etc.
If your relationship shows one or more of the above signs, it’s good to keep in mind that it’s not an accident, but a pattern of abuse that will unfold as you get to know each other.
Also, you should not forget that this type of behavior of violently controlling one partner over the other is not something that happens unconsciously. Abusing someone is a conscious choice.