For the purpose of this paper, dating violence is defined as any intentional physical, sexual or psychological assault on a person by a dating partner. Dating partners include both casual dates and individuals in long-term dating relationships. All three forms of abuse - physical, sexual and emotional - can coexist, or the abuse can be characterized by any one of the three. Studies indicate that dating violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status or location of residence. It happens in both adolescent and adult relationships. Dating violence is a significant and widespread social problem. It is expressed in a range of harmful behaviours - from threats, to emotional maltreatment, to physical and sexual aggression. While some forms of abusive behaviour, such as acts of physical assault, could result in charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, others, such as ridiculing or otherwise being verbally abusive, are harmful but not criminal offences. Dating violence has become an issue of increasing concern to researchers and practitioners over the past three decades. This paper considers how dating violence is defined, what its consequences are, and what can be done about it.

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