How To Spot Domestic Abuse

While domestic violence typically refers to physical abuse in a relationship, there are other types of domestic abuse that can be just as damaging. This entry will bring awareness to all types of domestic abuse and how to recognize the signs of domestic abuse. At times, victims of domestic abuse may be in denial or oblivious to the fact that they are in an abusive relationship.

Here is a chart from www.helpguide.org that helps you recognize signs of domestic abuse: 

SIGNS THAT YOU’RE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Your Inner Thoughts and Feelings	Your Partner’s Belittling Behavior
Do you: feel afraid of your partner much of the time? avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner? feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner? believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated? wonder if you’re the one who is crazy? feel emotionally numb or helpless?	Does your partner: humiliate or yell at you? criticize you and put you down? treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see? ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments? blame you for their own abusive behavior? see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Your Partner’s Violent Behavior or Threats	Your Partner’s Controlling Behavior
Does your partner: have a bad and unpredictable temper? hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?  threaten to take your children away or harm them? threaten to commit suicide if you leave? force you to have sex? destroy your belongings? If you or someone you know can answer "yes" to most of these questions then they are victims of domestic abuse and you and/or them should get help immediately!  This same site also provides resources to get help and information for victims of domestic abuse:  In an emergency: Call 911 or your country’s emergency service number if you need immediate assistance or have already been hurt. Helplines for women: In the US: call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE). UK: call Women’s Aid at 0808 2000 247. Canada: call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-363-9010. Australia: call 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732. Worldwide: visit International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies for a global list of helplines and crisis centers. Helplines for men: U.S. and Canada: The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men & Women UK: ManKind Initiative Australia: One in Three Campaign For a safe place to stay: In the US: visit Womenslaw.org for a state-by-state directory of domestic violence shelters. Worldwide: visit International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies for a global list of shelters.	Does your partner: act excessively jealous and possessive? control where you go or what you do? keep you from seeing your friends or family? limit your access to money, the phone, or the car? constantly check up on you?