Teen dating violence includes behaviors such as hitting, yelling, threatening, name calling, and other forms of verbal, sexual, emotional and physical abuse. It affects one in ten dating couples and can be as lethal as domestic abuse. Sexual aggression, like other aggressive behaviors, is motivated by power, anger and hatred. There are many long-standing myths about sexual aggression. Another myth is that sexual aggression is committed by strangers.
Rape is an act of violence.
Research shows that acquaintances, dates, husbands, fathers or other family members are most likely to commit sexual aggression. Alcohol and other drugs are usually involved in sexually aggressive behavior. Alcohol and drugs are also significant factors in dating violence. Another contributing factor is poor communication between males and females and a difference in cultural scripts. Date rape may result from passion and miscommunication or from anger and an attempt to assert power.