Recognizing the Signs of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is not always “in your face.” Whenever you hear of a woman who was killed or severely injured by an abusive partner, you probably ask, “Why didn’t she just leave?” The answer isn’t that simple. If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, here are some identifiable characteristics you can use:

Your Behavior

The first question you need to ask is if you are afraid of your partner. No healthy relationship involves fear. If you walk on eggshells to avoid provoking them, then that is a clear sign that your relationship is abusive. If you feel like you can’t do anything right in their eyes, if you feel numb and helpless, or if you are starting to wonder if maybe you’re crazy and making the whole thing up, you are most likely being abused.

Their Behavior

If your partner is abusive, they will fall into a few familiar behavioral patterns. Do they go out of their way to humiliate or criticize you? Do they ignore or belittle your accomplishments or opinions? Do they blame you for the way they treat you? These are all signs of an abusive partner. They may also:

·         Have an unpredictable temper.

·         Hurt you, or threaten to hurt you.

·         Threaten to hurt themselves if you leave.

·         Destroy your belongings.

·         Act excessively jealous or possessive.

·         Control where you go or what you do.

·         Check up on you constantly.

·         Isolate you from your friends and family.

Abuse is not always physical. Some abusers rely on psychological abuse to torment their victims. Know the signs, and know when to get out. If you can talk to a family member or close friend about what is happening, they can arrange to get you out while your partner is not home.

AIC. American Integrity Courses offers a court-ordered domestic violence online course for abusers who need to end their abusive behavior. Contact us today at AmericanIntegrityCourses.com to get started and break the cycle of abuse.