Dating violence or dating abuse is defined as the perpetration or threat of an act of violence by at least one member of an unmarried couple on the other member within the context of dating or courtship.  Dating/relationship violence is a pattern of coercive and abusive tactics employed by one partner in a relationship to gain power and control over the other partner.

This abuse/violence can be in several forms: sexual assault, sexual harassment, threats, physical violence, verbal, mental, or emotional abuse, social sabotage, and stalking. It can include psychological abuse, emotional blackmail, sexual abuse, physical abuse and psychological manipulation.

Dating violence can be a single act or a pattern of troubling behavior in relationships. It can start with what seem like small acts, but lead to more serious violence, like physical assault and rape.

Dating violence is a form of domestic violence that happens between people in a close relationship.

Teen dating violence — also called intimate relationship violence or intimate partner violence among adolescents or adolescent relationship abuse — includes physical, psychological or sexual abuse; harassment; or stalking of any person ages 12 to 18 in the context of a past or present romantic or consensual relationship. (National Institute of Justice)