What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence can take many forms, and it’s not always evident when it begins to happen in your relationship. Abuse usually starts small, making it hard to recognize it for what it truly is and leaves you with a nagging feeling that something is not quite right with yourself, your partner, and/or your relationship. It’s harder to identify when you are living in the thick of it because the effects of domestic violence, along with your love for your partner, leave you feeling confused, hurting, and hoping for change.

Most people think of bruises, black eyes, and broken bones when they think of domestic violence. That is physical violence and a reality for many individuals. Physical abuse can also include burning, choking, pulling your hair, pinning you down, or using a weapon on you.

Other, more subtle forms of abuse often appear long before physical abuse begins. These include financial abuse, sexual abuse, and/or emotional abuse. Emotional abuse includes:

Some abuse doesn’t leave marks, and it’s hard to believe that someone you love would intentionally hurt you. If you are still unsure, ask yourself some of these questions:

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence — women or men; those in heterosexual or same-sex relationships. Just like you, most remain silent out of fear of judgment and shame. Many have successfully broken from these toxic relationship patterns. Taking steps toward healthy change is possible.

It’s not your fault. We understand, and we can help.

Related posts:

Staten Island shoppers support Small Business Saturday

Staten Island businesses got a significant holiday boost on Nov. 25 as local shoppers visited their neighborhood retailers to participate in Small Business Saturday. “This is such a wonderful event… Read more

Esto es todo lo que podemos hacer ahora en Fuera de Series

No hay medio que no haya publicado ya sus recomendaciones de series para ver durante la cuarentena. Pero esperemos ser mejores personas después. Read more

10 Guidelines for Teachers During Distance Learning

When schools in China and Hong Kong started closing, my school (The American School in Japan) enacted our crisis plan and re-evaluated our distance learning plan. We’ve been conducting distance… Read more