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Domestic Violence FAQ
What is abuse?
Abuse is the mistreatment of one person by another. Abuse is hitting, kicking, punching, yelling, or unwanted touching. Abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal, and or psychological. Abuse is a crime punishable by law.
Who is an abuser?
Abusers are from every walk of life, racial and economic backgrounds, educational level, and age.
Are you being abused?
Am I afraid of this person? Do I feel belittled or degraded by this person? Is it important I do everything possible to keep this person happy? Do I feel worthless because of what this person does or says? Does this person hit me, or touch me, or do anything to me I don't like? If the answer is YES to one of these questions, you may be an abused person.
What can you do about abuse?
You do not have to stay in an abusive relationship. Statistics show in situations where there is no intervention, abuse gets gradually worse.
Your safety and the safety of your children is the most important need you have.
You can leave. Even though you may be feeling at your weakest, you need to take control of the situation and do what is best for you and your children's welfare and safety. You can file for an Order of Protection to shield you from the abuser.
Why Do Women Stay?
She may have grown up in a violent atmosphere and feels it is normal.
Fear, loneliness, she may feel she cannot find a home or support herself.
Financially and emotionally dependent on the abuser.
Worries about separating the children.
Blames herself, feels pressure from outside sources to keep the marriage together, may love the abuser and hopes he will change.
Feels she has no place to go and no one to turn to.
If you are in an abusive situation call the Toll Free Hotline right away at: 800-942-0649