Am I Being Abused?

Despite what many may think, domestic violence does occur among Christians. Look over the following questions. Think about how you are being treated and how you treat your partner. Remember, when one person scares, hurts, or continually puts down the other person, it’s abuse.

Does your partner....

• Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?
• Put down your accomplishments or goals?
• Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?
• Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?
• Tell you that you are nothing without them?
• Treat you roughly - grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?
• Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?
• Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?
• Blame you for how they feel or act?
• Pressure you sexually for things you aren’t ready for?
• Make you feel like there "is no way out" of the relationship?
• Prevent you from doing things you want - like spending time with your friends or family?
• Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to "teach you a lesson"?
  

Do You...

• Sometimes feel scared of how your partner will act?
• Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior?
• Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?
• Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?
• Feel like no matter what you do, your partner is never happy with you?
• Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?
• Stay with your partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke up?
  

If any of these are happening in your relationship, talk to someone. Without some help, the abuse will continue.

If you are still in the relationship:

• Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs; avoid rooms with no exits (bathroom) or rooms with weapons (kitchen).
• Think about and make a list of safe people to call.
• Keep change with you at all times.
• Memorize all important numbers.
• Establish a code word or sign so that family, friends, teachers or coworkers know when to call for help.
• Think about what you will say to your partner if he or she becomes violent.
• Remember you have the right to live without fear and violence.
  

For more information, please visit Women Against Domestic Violence or The National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)

WARNING! Your computer saves a record of every website you visit. If you are being abused, you should delete these records so that your abuser does not know that you have visited these sites. Click here detailed instructions on how to do this.