Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is emotional, psychological, physical, or sexual abuse that one person in an intimate relationship uses in order to control the other.  This type of abuse takes many different forms such as threats, name-calling, isolation, withholding money, actual or threatened physical harm, and sexual assault. 

Most domestic violence is committed against women by their male partners although it also occurs in same sex relationships.  On average, a woman who leaves an abusive relationship will leave an abuser seven or eight times before making the final break.  Seventy-five percent of women murdered by their abusive partners are killed in an attempt to leave the relationship or after they have left.

Symptoms common to many relationships where domestic violence occurs or is likely to occur are when a partner:

• Constantly criticizes you and your abilities as a spouse, partner, parent, or employee
  
• Behaves in an over-protective manner or becomes extremely jealous
  
• Threatens to hurt you, your children, pets, family members, friends, or themselves
  
• Prevents you from seeing family or friends
  
• Gets suddenly angry or "loses his temper"
  
• Destroys personal property or throws things
  
• Denies you access to family assets like bank accounts, credit cards, the car, or controls all finances and forces you to account for what you spend
  
• Uses intimidation or manipulation to control you or your children
  
• Hits, punches, slaps, kicks, shoves, chokes, or bites you
  
• Prevents you from going where you want to, when you want to, and with whom you want
  
• Makes you have sex when you don't want to or do things sexually that you don't want to do
  
•  Humiliates or embarrasses you in front of other people

You may be a victim of domestic violence if you see these symptoms in your relationship.  You are not to blame for the abuse and you are not alone as millions of women are abused in relationships every year.  You deserve help with your situation.  Health and Wellness Group can help you find the strength, resources, and coping skills you need to deal with your situation.