What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic Violence is defined as a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviors and tactics used by one person over another to gain power and control.

Warning Signs of an Abusive Relationship

A “yes” answer to any of these questions may indicate that you are headed down a path that could ultimately be emotionally and physically dangerous. If you would like to talk about what is going on in your relationship, please call our 24-Hour Hotline at 978-388-1888.

• Do you feel like a child in the relationship, having to ask permission and apologizing for your behavior?
• Have you stopped seeing friends and family? Does your partner complain so much that you no longer see them to avoid an argument? Are you ashamed to see your friends or family because of the abusive way you are treated?
• Does your partner try to take advantage of you sexually, or make unreasonable sexual demands on you?
• Does your partner usually get his/her way in deciding when and where the two of you will go?
• Does your partner control or disapprove of your spending money, yet has no problem spending on him/her self?
• Does your partner get extremely jealous or possessive? Does he/she accuse you of flirting or cheating, or constantly check on you?
• Are you made to feel like you can’t do anything right, and that you are to blame for any problems?
• Does your partner threaten to hurt you, your family, or your friends?
• Does your partner threaten to hurt him/her self because of you? Or if you leave?
• Does your partner break or throw things to intimidate you?
• Does your partner grab, push, shove, choke, slap, hold you down or hurt you in any way?