What Is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse can involve any of the following:
     ~verbal put downs/being called names
     ~shoving
     ~slapping
     ~kicking
     ~biting
     ~choking
     ~controlling money
     ~destroying personal property/objects
     ~controlling where you go
     ~making jobs impossible to keep
     ~forcing unwanted sexual acts
     ~threatening to take the kids away
     ~listening to your phone messages
     ~any behavior that makes you feel unsafe

The following behaviors are often seen in abusive partners:
Controlling behavior: says who you can see and what you can do

Extreme jealousy: may accuse you of having affairs

"Jekyll & Hyde" personality: kind one day and not the next; nice in public and abusive in private

Promises to stop abusing: after abuse, is sorry & sweet for a while. This "honeymoon" is often followed by tension and more abuse.

Says you cause the abuse: tries to make you think you said something you did not

Blames abuse on drinking or drug use