180 provides free specialized dating violence counseling for teens aged 15+.

What is dating violence?

The intentional verbal, physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment of a dating partner for the purpose of gaining control and power over that person. Abuse is never the victim’s fault. Everyone deserves a loving and fulfilling dating relationship, if that is what they want.

Examples of abuse in dating relationships Include:

Emotional Abuse: Making a partner feel insecure by name calling, using put downs, criticizing, or humiliating, attacking the person’s capabilities, and saying “nobody wants you.”

Psychological Abuse (Mind Games): Making a partner feel guilty or “crazy,” blaming a partner for things that go wrong, or having the partner wait by the phone. Isolating the partner from friends & family, pressuring them to give up activities, sports, work, and hobbies, or keeping tabs on the dating partner when they go out by texting, calling, or dropping by. Intimidating a partner by breaking objects, punching walls, giving threatening looks, threatening to hurt them, their family, friends, or pets, or destroying treasured belongings. Acting extremely jealous, not allowing the dating partner to talk to anyone, or accusing the partner of flirting or having sexual intercourse with others.

Physical Abuse: Shoving or pushing, squeezing a shoulder, restraining by holding a wrist or holding a hand tightly, shaking, pulling hair, slapping, punching, kicking, pushing out of a car, or strangulation/choking. Strangulation is one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence: unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes.

Sexual Abuse: Any unwanted sexual contact, comments, or gesturing within a relationship; manipulating a partner into doing something sexual that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Eligibility	All youth ages 15+
Age Groups	Adolescents Adults
Health Services	Crisis / Safety Domestic Violence

Last Updated: 02/01/25