About DV
Domestic abuse definition: physical, psychological, or sexual abuse of a member of one’s family or household, especially a spouse or partner.
You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:
• Calls you names, insults you, or continually criticizes you.
• Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive.
• Tries to isolate you from family or friends.
• Monitors where you go, who you call and who you spend time with.
• Does not want you to work or to school.
• Controls finances or refuses to share money.
• Punishes you by withholding affection.
• Expects you to ask permission.
• Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family or your pets.
• Humiliates you in any way.
You may be in a physically abusive relationship if your partner has ever:
• Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, kicked doors, etc.).
• Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or strangled you.
• Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
• Scared you by driving recklessly or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you.
• Forced you to leave your home.
• Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving.
• Prevented you from calling police or seeking medical attention.
• Hurt your children.
• Used physical force in sexual situations.
You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your partner:
• Views women as objects and believes in rigid gender roles.
• Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships.
• Wants you to dress in a sexual way.
• Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names.
• Has ever forced or manipulated you into to having sex or performing sexual acts
you did not want to do.
• Held you down during sex against your will.
• Demanded sex when you were sick, tired, or after beating you.
• Hurt you with weapons or objects during sex.
• Involved other people in sexual activities with you.
• Ignored your feelings regarding sex.
