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Relationship Safety

 

What is Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is physical, mental, sexual or emotional abuse in an intimate relationship. It occurs when one person uses abusive tactics to gain power and control over a partner or former partner. Domestic violence hits homes in every community, and has a devastating effect on victims, children, families and communities. Domestic violence is a crime. It destroys relationships and families. It passes from one generation to the next.

 

How Do I Know If I am Being Abused?

If you answer yes to even one of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. Does your partner:

  • Embarrass you or put you down?

  • Act in ways that scare you?

  • Control your actions; who you see or talk to; where you go?

  • Stop you from seeing friends or family members?

  • Take your money or Social Security check; make you ask for money or refuse to give you money?

  • Make all of the decisions?

  • Tell you that you are a bad parent, or threaten to take away or hurt your children?

  • Prevent you from working or attending school?

  • Act like the abuse is no big deal, it's your fault, or even deny doing it?

  • Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?

  • Intimidate you with guns, knives or other weapons?

  • Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?

  • Try to force you to withdraw charges?

  • Threaten to commit suicide?

  • Threaten to kill you?

 

Are My Actions Abusive

It is not only men who are abusive. If either partner in a relationship does any of the things listed above, they are engaging in abusive behavior. If this is you, remember that you can choose to stop - to behave in ways that are not abusive to your spouse.

 

Links and Resources

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, please seek help through one of these organizations.

 

The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence

www.acadv.org

800-650-6522

(TTY) 800-787-3224

800-799-7233 (Spanish)

 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

www.ndvh.org

800-799-SAFE (7233)

(TTY) 800-787-3224

 

The National Healthy Marriage Resource Center

www.healthymarriageinfo.org

© 2014 by Alabama Healthy Marriage & Relationship Education Initiative. All Rights Reserved.

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