Domestic violence is a string of coercive behavior used to establish power and control by one intimate partner over the other. It can occur amongst adults or adolescents where the batterer can be a spouse/partner, ex-spouse/ex-partner, or parent of your child(ren).
What is Abuse?
Abuse is the use of physical, emotional, verbal, and/or sexual force by one person in a relationship to control and/or dominate the other. It involves the act of intimidating and frightening someone repeatedly through verbal threats and/or beating, over a period of time.
Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other factors. Women and men both can be victims of it.
Am I in an Abusive Relationship?
You may be in an abusive relationship if:
You are frightened by your partner’s temper
You feel intimidated by your partner
You often give in because you are afraid of your partner’s reaction
You apologize to yourself and others for your partner’s behavior even when it’s you who is treated badly
You find yourself being criticized for every day things, such as your cooking, clothes, and/or appearance
You are humiliated or degraded by name calling, put downs, or accusations
Your partner makes frequent threats to withhold money, resources, take away the children or have an affair
You have been forced or pressured into having sex
You have been kicked, hit, shoved, restrained or had things thrown at you by your partner
You have been stopped from seeing family and/or friends
You feel isolated and alone
You experience a pattern of violence in your relationship