assault (verb) to attack suddenly or violently

• Sample Sentence: Sometimes dating abuse is obvious, such as when a physical assault causes visible marks or injuries.
• Turn and Talk: What should happen in school when a student physically assaults another student?

*assault (noun) an attack

• Sample Sentence: Some gun owners feel that any law that limits access to guns is an assault on their freedom.
• Turn and Talk: Is the government reading your emails and text messages an assault on your privacy? Explain.

abuse (verb) to inflict harm

• Sample Sentence: More than half of dating teens report being abused by a dating partner.
• Turn and Talk: How can someone verbally abuse another person?

*abuse (noun) harmful treatment

• Sample Sentence: Erika became a vegetarian because she does not want to contribute to animal abuse.
• Turn and Talk: Is paying employees a low wage a form of abuse? Explain.

trigger (verb) to make something happen

• Sample Sentence: Some people worry that responding may trigger more abuse.
• Turn and Talk: What is something that could trigger a bully to physically or verbally harm someone?

*trigger (noun) something that causes something else to happen

• Sample Sentence: Pictures of snakes were a trigger for Marie: Upon seeing them she became nervous and upset.
• Turn and Talk: What foods might act as triggers for people with nut allergies?

distort (verb) to misrepresent or give false meaning to

• Sample Sentence: People often have a distorted view of abuse and say it’s not a big deal.
• Turn and Talk: Why might a candidate running for office distort the truth about his or her past? Discuss with your partner.

physical (adjective) of or involving the body

• Sample Sentence: Dating violence is a pattern of emotional, verbal, sexual, or physical abuse intended to control a dating partner.
• Turn and Talk: Name some sports that are more physical than golf.