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 You have rights... and responsibilities.

Date Rape and Violence: BEWARE!-85% of all sexual assaults against high school, college, and single women are committed by someone that they know!

Male and Female Rights and Responsibilities in a Dating Relationship

Your Rights:

  • I have the right not to be abused – physically, emotionally, or sexually.
  • I have the right to "fall out of love" with someone and live with no threats.
  • I have the right to express my own opinions.
  • I have the right to have my needs be as important as my partner’s needs.
  • I have the right to grow as an individual in my own way and not be criticized for it.
  • I have the right to accept responsibility for my own behavior, not someone else’s behavior.
  • I have the right to change my mind.
  • I have the right to have friends of my own.
  • I have the right to be respected and loved, and to live a peaceful life.
Your Responsibilities:
  • It is my responsibility not to inflict physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse on my partner.
  • I cannot blame anyone but myself if I am abusive.
  • Alcohol or drugs cannot be used as an excuse for abusive behavior.
  • It is my responsibility to treat other people the same way I want to be treated.
  • I am responsible only for my own actions, not my partner’s actions.
  • It is my responsibility to get counseling if I realize I am abusive.
For Help or More Information:
What if...

You’ve home alone, making out. Things start to go too far and you want to slow down. Your partner says, "No one’s home. It’s the perfect time!"

What do you say?
"No. I’m not ready for this yet. I’d rather wait. This isn’t the right time."

What do you do?
Slow down the physical contact. Suggest an alternative; "Let’s see what’s on TV"

Next time... Avoid being home alone with a date. Go out with a group of friends or double date.

You’re at a party where people are drinking and doing drugs. Someone you know corners you in an empty room. Next thing you know, he’s all over you!

What do you say?
"No!" "Get away!" and "Stop." Loud and clear.

What do you do?
Put both hands up in a stop position. Move away quickly.

If he continues to pressure you…
Fight back with all your strength and yell for help.

Next time... Find out ahead of time who will be at the party and whether or not there will be drinking and drugging. Don’t take drugs and alcohol because they may make it harder to say no and will definitely impair your judgement.

Before you date that new guy... find out all you can about him. Never go to an isolated spot on a first date.