What is dating violence?

• A. Violence that occurs in a dating relationship at work
• B. Violence that occurs among strangers
• C. Violence that occurs in a dating or courtship relationship
• D. Violence that occurs in marriages

Answer: (C)

Dating violence is abuse that happens within a dating or courtship relationship. It isn’t defined by where it occurs or by whether people are married or live together; it’s about the relationship context. This can include physical harm as well as emotional, sexual, or psychological abuse, and may involve coercion, threats, monitoring, or controlling behavior aimed at power and control over the partner. The defining feature is the dating or courtship dynamic, which is why this option best captures the concept. In contrast, violence in marriages describes intimate partner violence within a marriage, and violence among strangers describes unrelated individuals with no dating relationship.