What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence, or
intimate partner violence, is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and
control over another person using fear
and intimidation tactics. This often includes the threat or use of
violence. Domestic violence is a crime that can include physical abuse,
emotional abuse, economic abuse, and/or sexual abuse. Domestic violence
hits homes in every community. It has a devastating effect on victims,
children, families and communities
Examples of Abuse:
Physical-
hitting, slapping, shoving and
strangulation
Emotional- threats, isolation, insults, name calling
Sexual- unwanted sexual contact, rape, incest
Financial- withholding money, obsessive control over spending
Neglect- poor physical or emotional care
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Warning Signs of Abuse
Does your partner...
- Call you names?
- Get jealous when you go out with friends or check up on you?
- Tell you what to wear or make decisions for you?
- Frequently accuse you of cheating on him/her?
- Hit you, shove you or show a weapon to you?
- Control your finances?
- Threaten to hurt or kill someone you know?
- Threaten to hurt or kill your pet?
- Blame you for his/her problems?
If you answered YES to any of
these questions, you may be in an unhealthy and/or abusive
relationship. There can be warning flags that a relationship is not
healthy. Other warning signs include, but are not limited to:
- Jealousy
- Controlling Behavior
- Quick Involvement
- Unrealistic Expectations
- Isolation
- Blames Others for Problems or Feelings
- Hypersensitivity
- Cruelty to Animals or Children
- "Playful" Use of Force in Sex
- Verbal Abuse
- Rigid Sex Roles
- Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
- Past Battering
- Threats of Violence
- Breaking or Striking Objects
- Any Force During an Argument
YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE
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