ARE YOU A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE?
Many victims do not identify themselves as such because they are used to seeing to seeing, and hearing about, the more overt forms of abuse. The abuse can be very subtle and can take many forms…
These are some of the signs that your partner may be an abuser:
1) CONTROL- You partner controls what you wear, whom you talk to and how much money you spend.
2) JEALOUSY - While the jealousy, or possessiveness may be initially flattering (he really loves me!), jealousy, and the need to know where you are and who you spend time with, is a form of control!
3) VERBAL ABUSE - Name calling and statements putting you down can leave scars as deep as those caused by a knife attack! They cut just as painfully. It can be the start of breaking your self confidence.
4) SEXUAL ABUSE - Forced sexual contact, or unpleasant and painful sexual acts can constitute abuse. The nature of the relationship does not give anyone the right to coerce, force or convince you to have sexual relations against your will, or to perform sexual acts which you do not want.
5) ANIMAL ABUSE - There is a strong correlation between domestic abuse and the abuse of family pets and other animals. For many, it is the unspoken threat that “this could be you!”
6) BLAMING OTHERS - Not taking responsibility for one’s actions, behaviors and problems is a sure sign that you may end up bearing the brunt of your partner’s anger when things don’t work out. It is always someone’s else’s fault that he got fired, didn’t get the new job or got lost while on vacation.
7) BREAKING/THROWING OBJECTS - Physical expressions of rage are a sign that your partner has anger management issues!
ISOLATION - A large number of victims and survivors will acknowledge that at some point during the relationship, they lost contact with family and friends. This is particularly true when the victim has tried to get support from these people in the past. The less contact with the outside world the, the more difficult it is to try to leave the abuser…
If you, or someone you know recognizes their partner in any of these 8 areas of concern, you can get information about community resources and safety planning by calling you local Domestic Violence Hotline.
In Las Vegas, you can Call: SAFE NEST at 702-646-4981
SAFE HOUSE at 702-564-3227