We all want a happy home, a serene domestic life, but unfortunately, there are those that may have partnered with someone with a different view of life at home. Domestic abuse, also called “domestic violence” or “intimate partner 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. Help is available by many local agencies such as
- Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?
- Diminish your accomplishments?
- Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?
- Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?
- Tell you that you are nothing without them?
- Treat you roughly—grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?
- Call you several times a night or show up uninvited or verify you are at home, alone.
- Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?
- Blame you for how they feel or act?
- Pressure you sexually.
- Make you feel like there is “no way out” of the relationship?
- Prevent you from spending time with friends or family?
- Try to keep you from leaving after a fight.
- Hurt or humiliate you to “teach you a lesson”?
- And 1000 more acts.
If you feel you are a victim of domestic abuse, the Federal government now has a plan and benefit. You may request safe leave when you need time off to seek safety from domestic violence situations.
A NATIONAL DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED. KEEP THIS NUMBER HANDY: 800-799-7233
Find resources in your area at https://www.thehotline.org/get-help/domestic-violence-local-resources/
