THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE DEFINES ABUSE AS:
- Calling bad names or putting someone down
- Shouting and cursing
- Hitting, slapping and/or pushing
- Making threats of any kind
- Jealousy and suspicion
- Keeping someone away from family and friends - isolation
- Throwing things around the house
TO RECOGNIZE WHETHER YOUR PARTNER IS ABUSING YOU, ASK WHETHER YOUR PARTNER:
- Embarrasses you with put-downs?
- Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you?
- Controls what you do, who you see or talk to or where you go?
- Stops you from seeing your friends or family members?
- Takes your money, makes you ask for money or refuses to give you money?
- Makes all of the decisions?
- Tells you that you’re a bad parent or threatens to take away or hurt your children?
- Prevents you from working or attending school?
- Acts like the abuse is no big deal, it’s your fault, or even denies doing it?
- Destroys your property or threatens to kill your pets?
- Intimidates you with guns, knives or other weapons?
- Shoves you, slaps you, chokes you or hits you?
- If you have contacted law enforcement, forces you to try and drop charges?
- Threatens to commit suicide?
- Threatens to kill you?