Raising Awareness

Physical Abuse

Pinching, hitting or slapping *her with an open hand or punching her with a closed fist; shoving, pushing, or being pushed against or held/ restrained against the floors, walls, doors; preventing her from leaving a room, home, car or some other area, or otherwise imprisoning her against her will.

 Strangulation with hands or objects such as extension cords or telephone cords.

 Throwing objects at her, hitting her with objects such as telephone or furniture.

 Using a knife, gun or other weapon to force her to do something or to cause actual harm.

 

Psychological or Emotional Abuse

 Threatening her with a weapon.

 Threatening to kill or otherwise harm her, her children, other family members, friends, or co-workers.

 Threatening to commit suicide.

 Calling her dirty and/or degrading names, or insulting her.

 Using manipulation or mind-games to control her.

 Using mental torture to cause her to doubt or blame herself, or to feel helpless or hopeless.

 

Sexual Abuse

 Forcing her to have sexual intercourse or to perform any other sexual act against her will.

 Forcing her to view pornographic materials she finds offensive.

 

Other Forms of Abuse

 Destroying her property

 Harming or threatening to harm, her pets.

 Controlling who she sees and when she sees them.

 Controlling or withholding money for essentials such as rent, utilities or food.

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Is Your Partner Abusing You?

Does your partner…….

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__Embarrass you or make fun of you in front of family or friends?

__Put down your achievements or goals?

__ Make you feel as if you are unable to make decisions.

__Use intimidation or threats to get his way?

__Tell you that you are nothing without him?

__Treat you roughly– grab, push, pinch, shove or hit?

__Call you repeatedly or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?

__ Blames use of drugs or alcohol for the way her treats you?

__Blames you for how he feels or acts?

__Pressures you sexually for thing you aren’t ready for?

__Makes you feel as if “ there is no way out” of the relationship?

__Prevent you from spending time with family or friends?

__Try to keep you from leaving a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight, to “teach you a lesson”?

 

Do You…

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__ Sometimes feel scared of how your partner will act?

__Constantly make excuses for your partners behavior?

__Believe that your partner will change, if you change?

__Try not to do anything to cause conflict or make your partner angry?

__Feel as though your partner is never happy with you?

__Always do what your partner wants and not what you want?

__Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what he may do if you broke up?

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If any of these are happening to you, talk to someone. Without help, the abuse will continue.

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Domestic Violence Safety Plan

 

 Always have some money hidden away for emergencies

 Make extra set of house and car keys and keep them hidden

 Keep an emergency overnight bag packed for you and your children. It should contain clothes, birth certificates, social security numbers, bank account information, insurance policies, marriage license, valuable jewelry, money and medications. Keep bag at the home of a friend or relative.

 Notify a neighbor to be alert for strange noises and call the police in case you are unable to call.

 Get rid of weapons in the house before the violence occurs again.

 Figure out your abuser’s pattern of behavior so you can be prepared to protect yourself next time, or take action to leave the situation.

 Don’t rely on promises alone. The abuser will make promises to keep you with him, or get you to come back. Remember actions speak louder than words.

 Select a “code word” that will signal your family when you are in trouble so they can call the police.

 If in a crisis, move to a room with easy access to an outside door. Stay away from the kitchen or bathroom, these contain many possible weapons.

 Teach your children to never try to physically Intervene, during an assault.

 Teach your children how to properly use 911. Make sure they know the address.

 Trust your instincts.

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