Contrary to what most media tells us, abusive relationships do not always include violence. Emotional, psychological, and verbal abuse is just as traumatic as physical violence, and can often be a precedent to physical harm.

Do these situations sound familiar?

- Your partner has destroyed your things, threatened to harm your pet, or caused injury to your pet.

- Your partner displays jealous or possessive tendencies but states that he/she is only looking after you and that it is because he/she loves you.

- You find yourself frequently justifying your partner’s behavior to your friends and family. You take the blame when your partner becomes upset or angry with you.

Abusers want power and control. Consult the wheel to the right to see if these situations apply.

If you need help call, chat, or find resources here.

KNOW AND SHARE THE STATS:

4 in 5 victims of domestic violence are women.

Each year, 4.7 million American women experience physical violence by an intimate partner.
3 women on average are murdered by a boyfriend or husband each day.
Domestic violence costs the economy between $10-67 billion each year in health care services and lost worker productivity.