The issues of dating violence fall on a continuum of actions that are marked by a pat-tern of abusive and coercive behaviors, whereby one dating partner seeks control over the other.
Abusive behaviors are intentional, planned and repeated.
Dating Violence is one aspect of a larger social problem that exists. Sexual violence is the term used to describe behaviors that include sexual assault, sexual harassment, peer sexual harassment, stalking and lewdness among others. These behaviors, along with dating violence, share the common thread of degradation and disrespect of others through violence, control, power and inequality. Some of the dynamics of dating violence in gay and lesbian relationships differ from heterosexual issues. Also, many abusive partners may suggest that police and counselors will be homophobic, thus causing the victim not to seek help.