About Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a crime. People often think of domestic violence in terms of black eyes and bruises that can be seen. Domestic Violence is a pattern of assault and coercive behaviors that abusive individuals use to control their intimate partners. People who have never experienced abuse often find it difficult to imagine why victims don’t leave and how the abuse can continue for years. Relationships almost never start out abusive. It is important to remember that love and intimacy precede the abuse, which can make it difficult to break away. Abusive relationships are not violent all the time. There are periods when a victim is reminded why she fell in love with the abuser. Abusers weave together intimacy and abuse to control their partners.

Domestic Violence does not look the same in all relationships; there are some warnings that may indicate you are in an unhealthy relationship.

1. Control your actions
2. Controls money
3. Threatens to hit or kill
4. Chokes, slaps, pushes, restrains
5. Abuse children
6. Forces unwanted sex
7. Destroys property
8. Calls you names