Dating Violence

Definition

As defined in Chapter 784, Florida Statutes, "Dating violence" means violence between individuals who have or had a continuing and significant relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the consideration of the following factors:

• A dating relationship must have existed within the past six months.
• The nature of the relationship must have been characterized by the expectation of affection or sexual involvement between the parties.
• The frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship must have included that the persons have been involved over time and on a continuous basis during the course of the relationship.

Dating violence does not include violence in a casual acquaintanceship or violence between individuals who have engaged in ordinary fraternization only in a business or social context.