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Sometimes it is difficult and confusing to admit that you are in an abusive relationship, or to find a way out, but there are clear signs to help you know if you are being abused. If the person you love or live with does any of these things to you, it's time to get help:

• Keeps track of what you are doing all the time and criticizes you for little things.

• Constantly accuses you of being unfaithful.

• Prevents or discourages you from seeing friends or family, or going to work or school.

• Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs.

• Controls all the money you spend.

• Humiliates you in front of others.

• Destroys your property or things that you care about.

• Threatens to hurt you or the children or pets, or does cause hurt (by hitting, punching, slapping, kicking, or biting).

• Uses or threatens to use a weapon against you.

• Forces you to have sex against your will.

• Blames you for his/her violent outbursts.

If you're a victim of violence at the hands of someone you know or love or you are recovering from an assault by a stranger, you are not alone. To get immediate help and support call
The National Domestic Violence Hotline at:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Last updated: March, 2003