There are many signs of an abusive relationship, and a fear of your partner is the most telling. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells around them—constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid a blow-up—chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Other signs include a partner who belittles you or tries to control you, and feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, and desperation.
To determine whether your relationship is abusive, answer the questions below. The more “yes” answers, the more likely it is that you’re in an abusive relationship.
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- Your inner thoughts and feelings
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Do you:
- feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
- avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?
- feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
- believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
- wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
- feel emotionally numb or helpless?
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- Your partner’s belittling behavior
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Does your partner:
- humiliate or yell at you?
- criticize you and put you down?
- treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
- ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
- blame you for their own abusive behavior?
- see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
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- Your partner’s violent behavior or threats
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Does your partner:
- have a bad and unpredictable temper?
- hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
- threaten to take your children away or harm them?
- threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
- force you to have sex?
- destroy your belongings?
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- Your partner’s controlling behavior
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Does your partner:
- act excessively jealous and possessive?
- control where you go or what you do?
- keep you from seeing your friends or family?
- limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
- constantly check up on you?
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Do you feel like you may be in an abusive relationship?
We can help…
- OUTREACH PROGRAM | (229) 921 – 4592
Available for victims who need help, but might not yet need our shelter.
- 24-HOUR CRISIS LINE | (229) 890 – 7233
Are you or someone you know experiencing family violence?
Reference: HelpGuide. (n.d.). Domestic Violence and Abuse. Retrieved July 15, 2019, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm
