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 Domestic
violence can be defined
as a pattern of behavior in any
relationship that
is used to gain or
maintain power and control over an
intimate partner.
Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional,
economic or psychological actions or
threats of actions that influence another
person. This includes any behaviors
that frighten, intimidate, terrorize,
manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure
or wound someone.
Domestic violence can happen
to
anyone of any race, age, sexual
orientation, religion or gender. It can
happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic
violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.
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You may be
in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:
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Calls you names, insults you or continually criticizes you.
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Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive.
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Tries to isolate you from family or friends.
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Monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time with.
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Does not want you to work.
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Controls finances or refuses to share money.
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Punishes you by withholding affection.
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Expects you to ask permission.
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Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.
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Humiliates you in any way.
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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,
kicked doors, 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
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