Rape and Dating Violence: Your Questions Answered

Discover the facts about intimate partner violence and sexual assault, including how to identify them and what to do if they happen to you.

Part of Bloomsbury's Q&A Health Guides series, this book employs a user-friendly question-and-answer format to equip teens and young adults with the knowledge and tools they need to better understand and address rape and dating violence. The book's 43 questions cover definitions of rape and dating violence; how to recognize the signs of both; the short- and long-term impacts on both victims and perpetrators; the intersection of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, culture, and the media; and where and how to get help if you or someone you know has been affected.

Augmenting the main text, a collection of 5 case studies illustrate key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. The "Common Misconceptions" section at the beginning of the volume dispels 5 long-standing myths about rape and dating violence, directing readers to additional information in the text. The glossary defines terms that may be unfamiliar to readers, while a directory of resources curates a list of the most useful hotlines, books, websites, and other materials. Finally, whether they're looking for more information about this subject or any other health-related topic, readers can turn to the "Guide to Health Literacy" section for practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the Internet.

Rape and dating violence are all-too-common occurrences in the United States and around the world. Readers will find the answers to the questions they may be too afraid or embarrassed to ask but which are critical for safeguarding physical and psychological health.


About the Author
Lee A. Ritscher received her PhD in literature from the University of California-Santa Cruz, USA, and has taught there as well as at California State University-Monterey Bay, USA. Her main areas of research are in Renaissance English literature and feminist history and theories. Her book The Semiotics of Rape in Renaissance English Literature (2009) focused on the legal and medical theories of the time period and how they worked together to compel women to silence about their sexual victimization.