Relationship Violence

Relationship Violence: Do You Know the Warning Signs?

• Does your partner consistently ridicule or insult you?
• Does your partner make you account for time you are away from him/her?
• Does your partner become extremely jealous if you talk to other people or go out with friends without him/her?
• Does your partner threaten to hurt you or him/herself if you break up with him/her?
• Does your partner hit, slap, punch, shove, or kick you?
• Does your partner force you to touch him/her or have sex with him/her?
• Does your partner blame you for provoking his/her violent behavior?

If you answered yes to any one of these questions, you may be in or headed for an abusive relationship.

Although verbal or emotional abuse may not seem as serious as physical violence, the results can be devastating and these relationships can often evolve into physically violent and abusive. Relationship violence attempts to control or intimidate an intimate partner and can damage a person's sense of worth or self-esteem.

When we talk about violence in relationships, we are talking about a continuum of behaviors from verbal to physical in nature. Sometimes it is difficult to know when you are being abused.

You deserve to be cared for and respected!