Knowledge is power.
The Signs
Recognizing the Dynamics of Domestic Violence
The following list identifies a series of behaviors typically demonstrated by batterers and abusive people. All of these forms of abuse: psychological, economic, and physical, come from the batterer’s desire for power and control. The list can help you recognize if you or someone you know is in a violent relationship. Check off those behaviors that apply to the relationship. The more checks on the list, the more dangerous the situation might be.
Destructive Criticism/Verbal Abuse
Name-calling; mocking; accusing; blaming; yelling; swearing; making humiliating remarks or gestures.
Pressure Tactics
Rushing you to make decisions by “guilt-tripping” and other forms of intimidation; sulking; threatening to withhold money; manipulating children; telling you what to do.
Abusing Authority
Always claiming to be right (insisting statements are “the truth”); telling you what to do; making decisions; using “logic.”
Disrespect
Interrupting; changing topics; not listening or responding; twisting your words; putting you down in front of other people; saying bad things about your friends or family.
Abusing Trust
Lying; withholding information; cheating on you; being overly jealous.
Breaking Promises
Not following through on agreements; not taking a fair share of responsibility; refusing to help with child care or housework.
Emotional Withholding
Not expressing feelings; not giving support, attention or compliments; not respecting feelings, rights or opinions.
Minimizing, Denying & Blaming
Making light of behavior and not taking it seriously; saying the abuse didn’t happen; shifting responsibility for abusive behavior; saying you caused it.
Economic Control
Interfering with your work or not letting you work; refusing to give you or taking your money; taking your car keys or otherwise preventing you from using the car; threatening to report you to welfare or other social-service agencies.
Self-Destructive Behavior
Abusing drugs or alcohol; threatening suicide or other forms of self-harm; deliberately saying or doing things that will have negative consequences (e.g., telling off the boss.)
Isolation
Preventing or making it difficult for you to see friends or relatives; monitoring phone calls; telling you where you can and cannot go.
Harassment
Making uninvited visits or calls; following you; checking up on you; embarrassing you in public; refusing to leave when asked.
Intimidation
Making angry or threatening gestures; use of physical size to intimidate; standing in doorway during arguments; out-shouting you; driving recklessly.
Self-Destructive Behavior
Abusing drugs or alcohol; threatening suicide or other forms of self-harm; deliberately saying or doing things that will have negative consequences (e.g., telling off the boss.)
Isolation
Preventing or making it difficult for you to see friends or relatives; monitoring phone calls; telling you where you can and cannot go.
Harassment
Making uninvited visits or calls; following you; checking up on you; embarrassing you in public; refusing to leave when asked.
Destruction
Destroying your possessions (e.g., furniture); punching walls, throwing and/or breaking things.
Threats
Making and/or carrying out threats to hurt you or others.
Sexual Violence
Degrading treatment based on your sex or sexual orientation; using force or coercion to obtain sex or perform sexual acts.
Physical Violence
Being violent to you, your children, household pets or others; slapping, punching, grabbing, kicking, choking; pushing; biting; burning; stabbing; shooting, etc.
Weapons
Use of weapons; keeping weapons around which frighten you; threatening or attempting to kill you or those you love.
You’re not alone.
We’re here to help when you’re ready.
24-Hour Crisis Hotline