A Safe Place: providing shelter, court advocacy, and counseling for victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence shelter address and phone numbers
 
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Healthy Dating, Good Decisions

What is violence in a relationship?

Violence and abuse often go unrecognized in a dating relationship or marriage.

Abuse may include any of the following:

  • Physical abuse: slapping, kicking, hitting, hair pulling, biting, shoving.

  • Verbal abuse: verbal belittling and name-calling to humiliate and to destroy self-confidence.

  • Emotional abuse: threatening to harm, controlling behavior, isolating a victim from family and friends, throwing or breaking objects, destroying property.

  • Sexual abuse: unwanted, forced, or manipulated sexual activity.

What do you think?

Answer "Yes" or "No" to the following questions:

  1. Is jealousy a sign of love? Yes   No

    No. Many teens think jealousy is very flattering and, therefore, is a sign of love. It is about control and insecurity.

  2. When your date says "no", he/she actually means "yes". Yes   No

    "No" means "No" and "Yes" means "Yes" wherever you go, however you dress.

  3. Girls like boys who make all the decisions. Yes   No

    No. Look out for a boy who decides everything. He wants to control rather than have a good time. It should be a mutual agreement.

What can you do?

If your friend is being hurt or hurting someone else, here are some things you can do to help:

  • Show concern and support and respect for recognizing the problem.

  • Reassure your friend that nobody deserves to be abused.

  • Suggest talking to a trusted adult such as a teacher, guidance counselor or school psychologist, or calling one of the agencies listed below.

  • Realize that the situation won't change overnight.

  • Share the information on this web page with someone who may need it.

Everyone deserves to be protected, respected, and accepted.

What are the danger signs?

Are you going out with someone who:

  • Is extremely jealous.

  • Criticized you frequently - your appearance, intelligence, ability to make decisions.

  • Humiliates you in public.

  • Isolates you - doesn't allow you to see your friends or family.

  • Wants you to spend all of your time with him/her; needs to know where you are at all times.

  • Blames you for his/her problems.

  • Says he/she can't live without you.

  • Threatens you; makes you afraid of what he/she will do if you end the relationship.

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Local Agencies That Can Help

A Safe Place/Lake County Crisis Center
Free confidential services for teens
24-hour help line
(847) 249-4450
(847) 249-6557 (TTY)

 
  • Telephone and private counseling
  • Support groups
  • Orders of protection

Connection-Student Hot Line
Confidential 24-hour hot line
1-800-310-1234

Zacharias Center
Rape and sexual assault crisis services
(847) 872-7799
(847) 244-1367 (TTY)

Child Help National Abuse Hot Line
1-800-4ACHILD
1-800-2ACHILD (TTY)


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24-hour hotline: 847-697-2380

Ayuda en espanol: 847-697-9740

Related Domestic Violence Safety Tips

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A Safe Place - Lake County Crisis Center

Everyone has the right to a violence-free, safe and healthy life.
Help Line: 847-249-4450 • Office: 847-731-7165 • TTY: 847-249-6557

Copyright ©2001-2007 A Safe Place. All rights reserved.

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