Victims of Domestic Violence

Common Indicators

Physical Abuse

• Assaulting or threatening you with a weapon
• Holding, tying down, restraining your movement, or preventing you from leaving
• Inflicting bruises, welts, lacerations, punctures, fractures, burns, or scratches
• Injuring your pets
• Pushing, shoving, slapping, hitting, punching, or kicking

Sexual Abuse

• Accusing you of having sex with other men or flirting with them to get attention
• Attempting sexual activity with you when you are not fully conscious or are afraid to say no
• Calling you sexually degrading names
• Coercing you to have sex without protection against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases
• Forcing you to have sex or perform sexual acts against your will
• Physically hurting you during sex

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

• Constantly insulting or criticizing you or calling you names ("You're so stupid," "You can't do anything right")
• Driving fast or recklessly just to scare you and laughing at your fear
• Extreme jealousy or possessiveness ("I can't control my anger, when I think of you with another man")
• False accusations, blaming you for everything ("You are the reason we have no money")
• Ignoring or ridiculing your needs or wants
• Intimidation or humiliation (Displaying weapons or making you look stupid in front of others)
• Leaving you in a dangerous place or threatening to leave you in a dangerous place
• Lying or breaking promises, destroying your trust
• Physical or social isolation (not allowing you to go out alone, have friends, or choose your own friends)
• Refusing to help you when you're sick or injured
• Threatening to hurt you in any way
• Threatening to kill or injure your pets
• Threats of suicide ("I'll kill myself if you ever talk to another man")
• Using your children as leverage or threatening to hurt them