Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, verbal and psychological attacks used to control an intimate partner or family member. Without intervention, violence typically escalates in frequency and severity.
Abusive behaviors include, but are not limited to when your partner:
- Pushes, shoves, holds you against your will, prevents you from leaving.
- Slaps, bites, chokes, hits, punches, throws things at you.
- Subjects you to reckless driving.
- Threatens or hurts you with a weapon or object.
- Rapes you or forces sex.
- Accuses you of having sex with others.
- Insults or drives away your family and friends, isolates you.
- Humiliates you in public or private.
- Punishes or deprives kids when mad at you, abuses pets.
- Keeps you from working, controls your money, refuses to work.
- Criticizes you, calls you names, shouts at you
- Insults your beliefs, religion, race or class.
1-877-701-SAFE(7233)
The hotline assists individuals 24/7/365 who are dealing with abuse. The hotline is also available for those who have questions about domestic violence.
