DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence consists of any type of emotional, psychological, physical, or sexual abuse used to control another person in a relationship.

Unlike sexual harassment or stalking, domestic violence involves an intimate relationship and includes numerous violent behaviors such as threats, name-calling, isolation, withholding of money, actual or threatened physical harm and sexual assault.

Most domestic violence is committed against women by their male partners, however, it also occurs frequently in lesbian and gay relationships and is common in teenage dating relationships. In a smaller number of cases, men are abused by female partners, however 91% to 95% of all adult domestic violence assaults are perpetrated by men against their female partners. In any case, every victim of domestic violence, whether female or male, gay or heterosexual, has the right to legal help.

Here are some signs of abusive or violent behaviors...

• Constantly criticizing a spouse, partner, parent or employee
• Behaving in an overly protective manner or being prone to extreme jealousy
• Threatening to hurt a spouse, partner, children, pets, family members, friends or ones self
• Preventing a spouse or partner from seeing family or friends
• Being prone to sudden anger or loss of temper
• Destroying personal property
• Denying access to family assets like bank accounts, credit cards, or the car, or control all finances
• Use of intimidation or manipulation to control a spouse, partner, children
• Preventing a spouse or partner from going where, when, and with whomever you want to
• Forcing a spouse or partner to have sex, or do things sexually, against their will
• Humiliating or embarassing your spouse or partner in front of other people
• Becoming physically abusive including hitting, slapping, biting, kicking, pulling hair, or other violent behavior

If your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend exhibits any of these characteristics, you may be a victim of domestic violence.

The first thing to know is that you are not to blame and you are not alone! Millions of women and men are abused by their partners each year, and, in fact, not all acts of domestic violence actually constitute violations of the law.

If you believe you, or someone you know, have been a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse, get help now and fight back!