Are You Being Abused?

Do you think you, your friend, family member, or co-worker may be in a violent relationship, but you're not sure?

Does the abusive partner...

• Act jealous and possessive?
• Seem controlling or scary?
• Constantly check up on you?
• Try to control you?
• Make all the decisions?
• Give orders?
• Use threats?
• Own weapons - handle or clean them during disagreements?
• Pressure you for sex?
• Treat you like a sex object?
• Not let you have friends?
• Not take you seriously?
• Say things like, "If you really loved me you would ..."?
• Abuse drugs or alcohol and pressure you to do the same?
• Blame you for any abuse that occurs?
• Tell you what to wear?
• Threaten to spread rumors about you?
• Threaten to slap, hurt or hit you?
• Threaten to harm himself as a result of your behavior?
• Accuse you of flirting or cheating?
• Have sudden, inexplicable changes in attitude towards you (i.e. from extreme anger to tremendous sweetness)?

Does your friend, co-worker, or family member...

• Seem quiet when their partner is around and seems afraid of making them angry?
• Become more and more isolated from family and friends?
• Often have unexplained injuries offer explanations that don't seem to add up?
• Casually mention their partner's violent behavior, but then also dismiss the behavior as "not a big deal"?
• Often cancel plans at the last minute?
• Have children who are frequently upset or very quiet and withdrawn and won't say why?

Nobody deserves to be abused, no matter what! Please: seek support from a trusted person in your life, such as friend, nurse, doctor, parent or role model – and ask them to support you, by helping you consider your options for creating a safe and healthy and happy relationship. Sometimes you may decide that your safest, healthiest option is to end the relationship. Learn more in our Stay Safe section.