24/7 CRISIS HOTLINE: (307) 672-3222

What is Domestic Violence?

 

Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse, is a pattern of violent and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, verbal and psychological attacks used against an intimate partner to gain or maintain power and control over them.

 

This includes dating violence.

 

Rich or poor, big city or small town, domestic abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere.

 

It doesn’t discriminate against race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender.

 

Traditionally domestic abuse involves intimate partners, but it can refer to many types of domestic relationships such as roommates, for example.

 

Below are the warning signs for different types of domestic abuse. 

 

If you’re experiencing even a couple of these, please reach out to us for help.

 

Abuse is never okay and it’s not your fault.

Warning Signs of Abuse

Emotional/Verbal Abuse

 

•  Ignores or dismisses your feelings  

 

•  Withholds approval, appreciation, or affection as punishment

 

•  Gets jealous when you spend time with friends or family

 

•  Makes all decisions for you

 

•  Embarrasses you with hurtful names and put downs

 

•  Wants to control what you do, who you see, who you talk to, and where you go

 

•  Demands access to private social media accounts

 

•  Demands access to your phone/tablet/computer

 

•  Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you

 

•  Embarrasses you in public, online and/or in front of friends

 

•  Ridicules you with lies and contradictions

 

•  Intimidates you with guns, knives or other weapons

 

•  Threatens to kill you, people you care about and/or pets

Physical Abuse

 

•  Pushes or shoves you

 

•  Slaps or hits you

 

•  Pulls your hair

 

•  Pinches you

 

•  Kicks or punches you

 

•  Restrains you with force

 

•  Strangles you

 

•  “Play” wrestles with you and takes it too far

 

•  Throws things at you

Sexual Abuse

 

•  Makes demeaning remarks about your gender

 

•  Calls you sexual names that make you feel uncomfortable

 

•  Forces you to take off your clothes

 

•  Forces you to have sex against your will

 

•  Insists you dress more or less provocatively than you want

 

•  Minimizes the importance of your feelings about sex

 

•  Forces you to have sex through intimidation and emotional manipulation

Have you ever asked yourself, “Is this abuse?” 

 

You deserve to be in a relationship where you feel safe and loved. 

 

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether you’re having normal relationship issues or if you’re seeing warning signs of abuse.

 

How does your relationship make you feel?

 

Do you feel happy?

Does your partner treat you with respect?

Do you feel safe and cared for?

 

If you aren’t sure about the situation you’re in, take the “Is This A Healthy Relationship?” quiz below.

 

Need help?

 

Reach out to talk with one of our friendly and understanding advocates. 

 

Advocacy & Resource Center of Sheridan

What is Domestic Violence?

 

Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse, is a pattern of violent and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, verbal and psychological attacks used against an intimate partner to gain or maintain power and control over them.

 

This includes dating violence.

 

Rich or poor, big city or small town, domestic abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere.

 

It doesn’t discriminate against race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender.

 

Traditionally domestic abuse involves intimate partners, but it can refer to many types of domestic relationships such as roommates, for example.

 

Below are the warning signs for different types of domestic abuse. 

 

If you’re experiencing even a couple of these, please reach out to us for help.

 

Abuse is never okay and it’s not your fault.

Warning Signs of Abuse

Emotional/Verbal Abuse

 

•  Ignores or dismisses your feelings  

 

•  Withholds approval, appreciation, or affection as punishment

 

•  Gets jealous when you spend time with friends or family

 

•  Makes all decisions for you

 

•  Embarrasses you with hurtful names and put downs

 

•  Wants to control what you do, who you see, who you talk to, and where you go

 

•  Demands access to private social media accounts

 

•  Demands access to your phone/tablet/computer

 

•  Looks at you or acts in ways that scare you

 

•  Embarrasses you in public, online and/or in front of friends

 

•  Ridicules you with lies and contradictions

 

•  Intimidates you with guns, knives or other weapons

 

•  Threatens to kill you, people you care about and/or pets

Physical Abuse

 

•  Pushes or shoves you

 

•  Slaps or hits you

 

•  Pulls your hair

 

•  Pinches you

 

•  Kicks or punches you

 

•  Restrains you with force

 

•  Strangles you

 

•  “Play” wrestles with you and takes it too far

 

•  Throws things at you

Sexual Abuse

 

•  Makes demeaning remarks about your gender

 

•  Calls you sexual names that make you feel uncomfortable

 

•  Forces you to take off your clothes

 

•  Forces you to have sex against your will

 

•  Insists you dress more or less provocatively than you want

 

•  Minimizes the importance of your feelings about sex

 

•  Forces you to have sex through intimidation and emotional manipulation

Have you ever asked yourself, “Is this abuse?” 

 

You deserve to be in a relationship where you feel safe and loved. 

 

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether you’re having normal relationship issues or if you’re seeing warning signs of abuse.

 

How does your relationship make you feel?

 

Do you feel happy?

Does your partner treat you with respect?

Do you feel safe and cared for?

 

If you aren’t sure about the situation you’re in, take the “Is This A Healthy Relationship?” quiz below.

 

Need help?

 

Reach out to talk with one of our friendly and understanding advocates. 

 

Advocacy & Resource Center of Sheridan

Why do Domestic Violence Victims Struggle to Leave?

 

Many victims of abuse are in denial about their situation.

 

Many more feel completely alone.

 

Leslie Morgan Steiner, author of the book Crazy Love, is a domestic violence survivor and gives a powerful TED talk about her experience.

Watch the video to hear her story.

When you’re ready to talk, we’re here to listen.

 

If you need to get out of an abusive situation right now,

call our 24/7 CRISIS HOTLINE: (307) 672-3222