VAWA 2000 added "dating violence" to the purpose areas of four OVW grant programs, which permitted OVW to fund projects that assist victims of abuse who may not be married to their abuser, share a child with their abuser or otherwise meet the traditional definition of "intimate partner" abuse.

Combating dating violence continues to be a priority for OVW, and was emphasized when President Bush signed the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 ( VAWA 2005) through new grant programs and amendments to existing criminal provisions.

Dating violence is defined in VAWA 2000 and subsequent reauthorization in 2005 as violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; and where the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on a consideration of the following factors:

• The length of the relationship
• The type of relationship
• The frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

OVW supported the launch of the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline (NTDAH) to promote awareness of healthy dating relationships by making vital resources accessible to help teens experiencing dating violence and offering tips on preventing abusive relationships. To raise the profile of teen dating violence, Acting Director Mary Beth Buchanan attended the launch of the helpline in February 2006 and was the first caller to the helpline.

Listen to the Audio of the First Call to the Helpline

For More Information About the Helpline please visit http://www.loveisrespect.org.

Choose Respect Initiative