Are You Being Abused?

Is your partner using verbal, psychological, physical or sexual abuse against you? Is he/she controlling, threatening or violent?

If you answered “Yes” to the above, but still aren’t sure if you are being abused, please take a look at the questions below. Do these questions describe your partner’s actions?

How can you tell someone may be abused by her partner? Here are some of the warning signs:

• Does your partner put you down, insult you and blame you for things that happen that aren’t your fault?
• Does your partner tell you that you are not worthy or “not good enough” to be loved?
• Does your partner often become jealous and possessive?
• Did your partner witness domestic violence as a child?
• Does your partner have an explosive temper?
• Does your partner prevent you from having your own friends, or from seeing your family?
• Does your partner not allow you to have your own opinions, or to speak freely?
• Does your partner not allow you to spend money, controlling how much you spend or make all the financial decisions without your input?
• Does your partner prevent you from working?
• Does your partner keep you confined, preventing you from leaving your home, etc.?
• Does your partner threaten you, making you feel afraid and/or intimidated?
• Does your partner destroy things or possessions when angry?
• Does your partner push, slap, hit, kick, bite, strangle, or pull your hair?
• Does your partner force you to have sex, or have sex in ways that you don’t want to?
• Does your partner force you to pose for pictures that make you uncomfortable or threaten to post/share private photos of you?
• Does your partner threaten to hurt or kill you, your children, or members of your family?
• Does your partner threaten to harm himself if you don’t do what he wants?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be experiencing abuse and you may be in danger. You can get help from Schuylkill Women in Crisis.

Please call our free and confidential hotline at 570.622.6220 or toll free at 800.282.0634.

TELL SOMEONE

There is help. There is hope.

Sharing with someone that you are being abused may be the hardest thing you've ever done, but it is a first step in breaking the cycle of violence in your life.

Don't keep abuse a secret. Confide in family members or friends whom you trust. Don't be afraid to ask them for help.

If you'd like to tell someone at SWiC about what is happening to you, call our 24-hour hotline advocates at 570.622.6220 or 800.282.0634. The call is free and confidential.

MORE INFORMATION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE