Get the Facts

This section offers an overview of general educational information about Stalking, Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence and Dating Violence. Each section highlights a variety of issues pertaining to each topic.

Sexual Violence

Unwanted, forced or coerced sexual contact. It is also sexual violence when a person is unable or unwilling to give consent.

Domestic Violence

An ongoing pattern of behavior and abusive tactics used by an intimate partner or ex-partner to gain complete power and control over another person’s life.

Dating Violence

Typically refers to middle-school and high-school aged individuals as well as young adults in their 20s. It takes on many forms such as physical, mental, emotional, sexual, digital, financial, spiritual or cultural abuse.

Stalking

A course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. It involves one person’s obsessive behavior toward another which can be motivated by intense affection or extreme dislike of the victim.

These four types of abuse can affect anyone regardless of race, religion, sex, gender expression, or sexual preference. See Professional Allies for specific information on Military, People with Disabilities, Human Trafficking, Immigrants/Refugees and Elder Abuse.

Victims have the right to be educated and live a life free of violence. Even those who have not been victims of violence may know someone who has. Learning about these types of violence can help individuals stand up for healthy and respectful relationships with in the community. The more educated someone is the more likely they will be able to provide positive support to a friend or family member.