Let’s Unite Against Domestic Violence!​

Domestic violence can occur at any time and in any relationship. It can happen to anyone of any age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or education level. Abuse can look many different ways and it is NEVER the fault of the survivor that the abuse is occuring.

This is HUGELY important: if your partner is violent or emotionally abusive to you in any way, IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT, AND YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO BE ABUSED. THERE IS A WAY OUT! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! PEOPLE WANT TO HELP YOU! YOU DESERVE HELP! 

How Abuse Can Look:

People in abusive relationships often tend to deny that their partner is abusing them. Or the extent of their partner’s abuse. It often feels safer for victims to forgive their abusers and make justifications for their behavior. Since the behavior develops over time, an action perpetrated by the abuser may seem shocking to someone who is in a healthy relationship, but to the person being abused, it may not be. They have likely been desensitized to their abuser’s behavior over time, thus making the victim more likely to forgive/justify the abusive behavior.

Oftentimes survivors of abuse have been manipulated over time, discouraged, broken down, or don’t know where to turn. This can be due to the abuser isolating their partner from their loved ones and convincing them that they are completely alone in their situation. Abusers also often use tactics like telling their partners no one else will ever want them or that they are undesirable. Which in turn can make the victim feel stuck in the relationship.  The abuser will also likely try to convince the abused party that they are doing them a favor by helping them “be better.” Overtime, this tactic is used to justify their use of force and/or violence. Rarely, do abusers start relationships violently. Typically these manipulation tactics occur over a span of time.  This occurs until the victim feels too enmeshed in the relationship to leave, and as long as they remain in the relationship.

Fear of Involving Law Enforcement:

Often,  people in abusive relationships are afraid to involve law enforcement. In many cases, they are afraid the abuse will become more severe once the abuser is released from law enforcement custody. Oftentimes, their abuser has told them misinformation about the police and law enforcement. In turn, making them distrust law enforcement and believe getting help will only make their situation worse. Another common tactic abusers use is to convince abused party that law enforcement will take their child away. Frighteningly, if the victim feels unable to leave the relationship, many abusers will continue and escalate their dangerous abusive behavior without any repercussions.

Help is out there!!!

IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SITUATION/RELATIONSHIP YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS IN, THERE IS HOPE AND PEOPLE WHO WILL HELP YOU! PLEASE READ BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION! CALL 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Anonymous Help Here

Early Indicators of Abusive Behavior:

Love Bombing:

• One of the earliest signs of someone who may go on to physically or emotionally abuse their partners is “lovebombing.” This is when the future abuser overwhelms their partner with affection, gifts, love, and praise. Often, this is early in the relationship and once the relationship is official, the abuser will strip their partners of all that love and affection previously given to them. Moreover, this causes the abused party to feel guilty like they have done something to warrant this change in demeanor. Effectively, the abuser uses this insecurity and rarely gives their partner affection to keep the victim craving the affection they were once given so freely.

Control:

• One of the biggest red flags to look for is if they control what you wear, who you associate with, what you eat, or what you do in your spare time. Likely, they will attempt to build this control over time. Hopefully, once you can recognize it, you will start creating a strategy to exit the relationship.

Bursts of Anger/Emotional Immaturity:

• Poor emotional control in situations that do not warrant high emotions can be an early indicator of violent behavior. If they are highly immature in arguments, refuse to see their faults, try to put all the blame on you, or if your partner insults you or becomes mean quickly in arguments, these are all signs of emotional abuse and an early indicator of potential violence in that relationship.

Lack of Trust/Jealousy:

• It is a form of emotional manipulation if your partner accuses you of things you haven’t done in bad faith. For example, accusing a partner of infidelity without any real reason to believe infidelity has occurred. Oftentimes, the abuser will accuse their partners of cheating or flirting when they feel threatened or jealous. Additionally, they project these emotions on to their partners so they can be mad at them, instead of having to look inward and dealing with their feelings of insecurity. Oftentimes, they are projecting their own desire to be unfaithful.  Also, this manipulation makes the victim feel as if they are the guilty one. In turn, this helps the abuser avoid accountability.

What you can do:

If you’re in a situation where you’re experiencing domestic violence, you should call a national domestic violence hotline. This hotline provides free, confidential support for victims of abuse. Advocacy workers can answer your questions and provide you with information about how to get help from a therapist/counselor, law enforcement, or resource groups. Additionally, they can direct you to other online resources like BetterHelp.

The ANONYMOUS hotline is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Also, there are domestic violence programs in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) to find one in your area. Further, this hotline can help you find resources for free counseling, resources, and legal assistance.

The hotline is available 24/7 to provide support to victims of domestic violence. Also, It can be reached by phone, text message, or online chat. Additionally, advocates can also help victims navigate government programs and services, get legal advice, get the survivor in touch with a safety shelter, or make emergency transportation arrangements. In addition to these resources, advocates can assist victims with creating a safe exit plan and discuss other issues that may arise from escaping domestic violence. Also, advocates a provide emotional support to survivors and can help find survivors jobs and apartments if they need to relocate.