Are You Being Abused?
Does the Person you love…
- Track all of your time?
- Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful?
- Discourage your relationships with family and friends?
- Prevent you from working or attending school?
- Criticize you for little things?
- Anger easily when drinking or using drugs?
- Control all finances and force you to account in detail for what you spend?
- Humiliate you in front of others?
- Destroy personal property or sentimental items?
- Hit, punch, slap, kick, or bite you or the children?
- Use or threaten to use a weapon against you?
- Threaten or hurt you or the children?
- Force you to have sex against your will?
If you find yourself saying yes to ANY of these – it’s time to get help!
If You Are Hurt, What Can You Do?
There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself.
- Call the police or other law enforcement. Assault even by family members is a crime. The polic often have information about shelters and other agencies that help victims of domestic violence.
- Leave or have someone come and stay with you.
- Go to a battered persons shelter – call a crisis hotline in your community or a health center to locate a shelter. If you believe that you or your children are in danger – leave immediately.
- Get medical attention from your doctor or a hospital emergency room. Ask the staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action.
- Contact your family court for information about a civil protection order that does not involve criminal charges or penalties.
Have You Hurt Someone In Your Family?
- Accept the fact that violent behavior will destroy your family. Be aware that you break the law when you physically hurt someone.
- Take responsibility for your actions and get help.
- When you feel tension building, get away. Work off the angry energy through a walk, a project or a sport.
- Call a domestic violence hotline or health center and ask about counseling and support for groups of people who batter.