Resources

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic violence (also called intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic abuse or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.

WARNING SIGNS

Some of the signs of an abusive relationship include a partner who:

  • Tells you that you can never do anything right
  • Shows extreme jealousy of your friends and time spent away
  • Keeps you or discourage you from seeing friends or family members
  • Insults, demeans or shames you with put–downs
  • Controls every penny spent in the household
  • Takes your money or refuses to give you money for necessary expenses
  •  Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you
  • Controls who you see, where you go, or what you do
  • Prevents you from making your own decisions
  • Tells you that you are a bad parent or threatens to harm or take away your children
  • Prevents you from working or attending school
  • Destroys your property or threatens to hurt or kill your pets
  • Intimidates you with guns, knives or other weapons
  • Pressures you to have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually you’re not comfortable with
  • Pressures you to use drugs or alcohol

RESOURCE

THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE

www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/

PHYSICAL ABUSE

You may be experiencing physical abuse if your partner has done or repeatedly does any of the following tactics of abuse:

  • Pulling your hair, punching, slapping, kicking, biting or choking you
  • Forbidding you from eating or sleeping
  • Hurting you with weapons
    Abandoning you in unfamiliar places

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

You may be in an emotionally/ verbally abusive relationship if you partner exerts control through:

  • Calling you names, insulting you or continually criticizing you
  • Refusing to trust you and acting jealous or possessive
  • Trying to isolate you from family or friends
  • Demanding to know where you are every minute

SEXUAL ABUSE

Sexually abusive methods of retaining power and control include an abusive partner:

  • Forcing you to dress in a sexual way
  • Insulting you in sexual ways or calls you sexual name
  • Forcing or manipulating you into having sex or performing
    sexual acts

FINANCIAL ABUSE

Financial abuse is when an abusive partner extends their power and control into the area of finances. This includes:

  • Giving an allowance and closely watching how you spend it or demanding receipts for purchases
  • Placing your paycheck in their bank account and denying you access
    to it
  • Preventing you from viewing or having access to bank accounts

CYCLES OF ABUSE