TYPES OF ABUSE
You may be in an emotionally abusive relationship if your partner:
Calls you names, insults you, or continually criticizes you
Controls what you can or cannot do
Withholds information from you
Deliberately does things to make you feel diminished or embarrassed
Stalks you
Demeans you or humiliates you in public or in private
Undermines your confidence and/or sense of self-worth
Expects you to ask permission
Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive
Punishes you by withholding affection
Controls finances and denies you access to resources
Does not want you to work
Monitors where you go, who you call, and who you spend time with
Isolates you from friends and/or family
Threatens to hurt you, your children, your family, or your pets
Convinces you that you are crazy
YOU MAY BE IN A PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP IF YOUR PARTNER HAS EVER:
Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, kicked doors, etc.)
Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or choked you
Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place
Scared you by driving recklessly
Used a weapon to threaten or hurt you
Forced you to leave your home
Trapped you in your home or kept you from leaving
Prevented you from calling the police or seeking medical attention
Hurt your children
Used physical force in sexual situations
You may be in a sexually abusive relationship if your partner:
Views women as objects and believes in rigid gender roles
Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships
Wants you to dress in a sexual way
Insults you in sexual ways or calls you sexual names
Has ever forced or manipulated you into having sex or performing sexual acts
Held you down during sex
Demanded sex when you were sick, tired or after beating you
Hurt you with weapons or objects during sex
Involved other people in sexual activities with you
Ignored your feelings regarding sex
YOU MAY BE IN AN ECONOMICALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP IF YOUR PARTNER:
Prevents you from earning money by:
Preventing you from attending a job
Demanding that you quit your job
Prevents you from looking for jobs or attending interviews
Harasses you at work
Forces non-consensual, credit-related transactions by:
Applying for credit cards, obtaining loans, or opening accounts in your name without your knowledge or consent
Forcing you to obtain loans
Forcing you to sign financial documents
Uses threats or physical force to make you engage in credit-related transactions
Refinances a home mortgage or car loan without your knowledge
Prevents access to existing funds by:
Deciding when or how you can access or use cash, bank accounts, or credit cards
Forcing you to give them money, ATM cards, or credit cards
Demanding that a lease or mortgage or assets be in their name
Using your checkbook, ATM card, or credit cards without your knowledge