Respect Love

Dating aggression using electronic media is on the rise among young adults. Regression analysis completed has shown that conflicts increase the likelihood to be involved in psychological aggression while using electronic media often the psychological aggression leads to physical aggression among young adults. Electronic media influences intrusiveness and aggressive behaviors between heterosexual couples between 18 and 25 years old. Insecurity seems to be the underlying characteristic of dating aggression in young adults. In 2012 the National Center for Victims of Crime defined dating violence as controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in a dating relationship. Behaviors can be exhibited emotionally, verbally, physically, and sexually. Dating violence takes place electronically or in person, however, with the rise of electronic media and social networking sites dating aggression can be presented electronically through posting sexual pictures of a partner online, or repeated texting just to name a few. It is estimated that dating violence among young adults goes unrecognized but is the most prevalent forms of peer to peer violence. There are a lot of programs and organizations that focus on dating aggression among adolescents but not young adults. Love is Respect (2013) estimated that one in three adolescents in the US have been victimized by a dating partner. Research would suggest that dating aggression stops after the adolescent stage, however, it is silently increases among those 18-25. Young adults experience the same kinds of dating violence such as emotional, social, academic, and physical issues. Dating aggression/violence experienced as an adolescent are often carried over in their future relationships and often suffer from aggressive sexual activity, drug use, physical fights, suicide attempts, and binge drinking.

Looking to start a non-profit organization Respect Love, Inc. which seeks to provide resources to ultimately stop dating aggression/violence among young adults 18-25 before it starts. The organization will have strategies that promote healthy dating relationships, to learn skills they need to form positive and lasting relationships with others. We wish to go to colleges and universities working with the counseling centers to help bring an end to dating aggression among young adults. We need the money to start the organization and the first programs working with local colleges and universities and then having the ability to expand.