Definition of Domestic Violence

"Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone." - The National Domestic Violence Hotline

Signs of Emotionally Abusive Relationship:
-Name calling, insulting, criticizing
-Does not trust you, acts jealous, possessive
-Isolation from friends and family
-Monitors where you go and who you talk to
-Controls finances
-Punishes by withholding affection
-Humiliation
-Threatens to harm

Signs of Physically Abusive Relationship:
-Damaged property
-Push, slap, bite, kick, choke
-Reckless driving
-Use of a weapon to intimidate
-Prevent from medical/police attention
-Abandoned in unsafe place

Signs of Sexually Abusive Relationship:
-Viewed as object
-Accused of cheating or is often jealous
-Forced to dress in a sexual way
-Called sexual names/insults
-Ignore feelings regarding sex
-Demanded sex when sick, tired, etc.