Roughly 1.5 million high school boys and girls in the U.S. alone admit to being intentionally hit or physically harmed by someone they are romantically involved with, according to dosomething.org. This number is too high.

Domestic violence is violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. Domestic violence is typically categorized in three categories: physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

Physical abuse includes hitting, kicking, scratching and many other things. Both men and women alike can be victims of physical abuse. Women say, “Don’t hit me, I’m a woman.” While I agree with this statement, women should not hit men either. We just shouldn’t hit each other in general.

Emotional abuse is when one individual is exposed to behavior that may result in psychological trauma, for instance, name calling, threats and blaming you for their abusive behavior. Though it may not leave physical harm on you, it can be emotionally scarring. Emotional abuse can be just as bad as physical abuse. Just because your partner did not hit you, it does not mean it wasn’t abusive.

Sexual abuse is pressuring someone into doing sexual activities they are not comfortable doing. Sexual abuse can occur in homosexual and heterosexual couples. Both men and women can be perpetrators of sexual abuse. I believe even if you have had intimate relations with your partner before, if you do not want to be touched, you shouldn’t be. Consent is a firm yes.