Information

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner in an intimate relationship. Every relationship is different, but if you see any of these early warning signs, you may be a risk for domestic violence.

Some common early warning signs might include:

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• Extreme jealousy

• Isolates you from friends/ family

• Controlling behavior

• Push for quick involvement

• Unpredictable mood swings

• Alcohol and drug use

• Explosive anger

• Uses force during an argument

• Believes in rigid sex roles

• Blames others for problems or feelings

• Cruelty to animals or children

• Verbally abusive

• Abused former partners

• Threatens violence

 

Physical Abuse

• Pulls your hair, punches, slaps, kicks, or bites you.

• Prevents you from eating or sleeping or accessing medical care.

• Uses weapons against you or threatens you with a weapon.

• Harms or threatens your children or pets.

• Restricts you from leaving the house or seeing family or friends.

• Forces you to use drugs or alcohol.

 

Emotional and Verbal Abuse

• Calls you names, insults you, or constantly criticizes you.

• Acts jealous, possessive, or refuses to trust you.

• Isolates you from seeing family or friends.

• Monitors your activities with or without your knowledge, including monitoring your online activities.

• Attempts to control what your look like or what you wear.

• Blaming you for their abusive behavior.

• Accusing you of cheating, or cheating themselves and blaming you for their actions.

• Gaslighting you by pretending not to understand you or refusing to listen to you; questioning your recollection of events or facts; trivializing your needs or feelings, or denying previous statements or promises.

 

Sexual Abuse or Sexual Coercion

• Force or manipulate you into having sex or performing sexual acts.

• Choking you or retraining you during sex without your consent.

• Involves other people in your sexual activities against your will.

• Intentionally gives you or attempts to give you a sexually transmitted infection.

• Forces you to watch or make pornography.

• Refusing to use a condom or other types of birth control.

• Keeping you pregnant or getting you pregnant again shortly after you have a child.

• Intentionally becoming pregnant against your wishes.

 

Financial Abuse

• Providing an allowance and closely watching how the money is spent.

• Depositing your paycheck into an account that you do not have access to.

• Stealing money from you, your family, or your friends.

• Maxing out your credit cards without your permission, taking out credit cards in your name, or otherwise harming your credit score.

 

Digital Abuse

• Using social media to track your activities.

• Controlling who you follow or who you are friends with on social media.

• Stealing or forcing you to share your account passwords.

• Using technology to monitor your activities or your location.

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If Isolated at Home with your Abuser: Carry your ID, extra set of keys & any credit cards in a phone case or other safe place (pocket, bra, etc.) on you at all times. Register for Smart 911, so if you cannot speak, they will know your address and risk of harm. Stay connected with trusted friends or family. If possible, at set times/days. If they cannot reach you, tell them to call for a welfare check. Code Words with trusted people can also tell them to call for a welfare check. Make a signal with neighbors when you need help. Such as 1 side of the blinds are higher than the other. Become responsible for “essential errands”, such as grocery and Pharmacy to leave or access services (shut off any phone tracking) Avoid wearing any items around the neck (strangulation)

If Leaving your Abuser: Pay attention to abuser’s daily routine. Gather essential items to leave while doing daily chores, like laundry. Store these items in a bag/place the abuser does not access. Identify safe individuals you can stay with in case shelters are full. Find a reason to be outside and near the car (with children) to get fresh air, let kids run, etc. Create a work reason or essential errand to leave the home (heard the store has toilet paper, with children- food distribution from schools.

Accessing Healthcare:  National Call Center Helpline 1-877-215-8336 or 211

Duncan Regional Hospital 1407 N Whisenant (580)252-5300