Unhealthy relationships are based upon power and control. This can include coercion, threats, intimidation, put-downs, isolation, etc. Abuse is not just physical. Abuse can be emotional, verbal, physical, financial, sexual, psychological, and social.
You may be in an abusive relationship if your partner does any of the following:
- Physically abuses you (hitting, choking, kicking, pinching, twisting arms, restraining, etc.)
- Controls your money and/or withholds money
- Does not allow you to have a job
- Isolates you from friends and family
- Criticizes you frequently
- Yells or uses violent language
- Makes threats
- Uses intimidation to get what they want
- Uses stress, jealousy, and passion to justify actions
- Engages in name calling
- Mind games
- Destroys property
- Forces you do to something you don’t want to
- Forces you to have sex
- Forces you to have an abortion
- Pressures you
- Abandons you in unfamiliar areas
- Threatens to kill you or themselves
- Denies abuse
- Makes you doubt yourself or feel crazy
- Gives you little or no privacy
- Prevents you from working or attending school/events
- Controls what you wear
If you find yourself in an abusive relationship, know you are not alone. To connect with supportive services, please call our crisis line at 651-227-8284.
Want to learn more about domestic violence? You can see our educational presentation topics here. To schedule a presentation on DV 101 for your school, workplace, or organization, click here.