DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used to establish and maintain control over an individual where a meaningful relationship has been established. Some abusive actions may cause physical injury and some are criminal, but all are psychologically damaging to the victim.
Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and psychological. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, or injure someone.
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Domestic violence can happen to anyone and does not discriminate.
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Domestic violence is never the victim’s fault!
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You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner has ever:
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Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, etc.).
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Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked, or choked you.
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Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
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Scared you by driving recklessly.
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Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you.
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Forced you to leave your home.
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Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving.
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Prevented you from calling police or seeking medical attention.
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Hurt your children.
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Used physical force in sexual situations.
You may be in a sexually abusive
relationship if your partner:
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Believes in rigid gender roles/women = objects
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Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships.
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Wants you to dress in a sexual way.
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Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.
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Has ever forced or manipulated you into to having sex or performing sexual
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Held you down during sex.
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Demanded sex when you were sick, tired, or after beating you.
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Hurt you with weapons or objects during sex.
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Involved other people in sexual activities with you.
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Ignored your feelings regarding sex.
