Date Rape and Teen Dating Violence

Date Rape

As 60-80% of all rapes involve friends, acquaintances or family members, many occur on dates.

How to protect yourself from date rape:

Clearly communicate with your date
Be aware of the people you are with and your surroundings
Double date or go out in groups
Watch your drink to make sure no one slips anything into it
Limit your use of drugs and alcohol
Carry extra money with you

Self Protection

There is no perfect way to protect yourself against rape, but the following have worked for many people:

You have a right to set sexual limits. You may have different limits-- with different people, your limits may change. No one has a right to force you into any sexual activity without your consent.
Communicate those limits. Tell the person you are with what you expect and what you don't expect.
Trust your feelings. If you feel you are being pressured into unwanted sex, you are right.

Teen Dating Violence

Does your partner:

Criticize what you wear, what you do and who your friends are?
Act jealous when you talk to others, even your friends?
Control who you talk to and who you go out with?
Get angry or violent easily?
Try to force you into having sex?
Pressure you to take drugs or drink alcohol?
Threaten to physically hurt you or someone you care about?
Abuse you emotionally or physically and then says he/she is sorry?
Call you names such as "fat" "lazy" "ugly" "stupid"?

If you have checked any of the above, you may be in an abusive relationship. Relationships should make both partners happy and comfortable in each others company. If you are not, then it is time to bring the relationship to an end.
Call your nearest crisis centre for help.

IT IS NOT LOVE IF YOU ARE BEING PHYSICALLY OR EMOTIONALLY HURT