Domestic Abuse

You're in an abusive relationship if your partner is...

Verbally abusing you -- by calling you names, threatening you, putting you down, or talking down to you.

Emotionally attacking you -- by letting you know that you never know what you're talking about but your partner always does.

Physically attacking you -- by pushing, shoving, slapping or hitting you. Or by destroying your personal property. Often your partner's rage is blamed on you. "Why do you make me do this to you?"

Sexually assaulting you -- by touching you in ways you don't want to be touched or by forcing you to have sex or perform sex acts against your will.

• Ask if your friend is being hurt
• Listen and believe your friend
• Ask questions - but don't judge or blame
• Remind your friend that no one deserves to be hit
• Keep communication open and offer to help your friend seek help
• Tell your friend that you care no matter what
• Remind yourself that getting out of an abusive relationship is difficult - and dangerous
• Call the police if you witness an assault
• Tell your friend to call a local domestic violence agency

• Give your friend a clear message - violence is not acceptable
• Tell your friend that you're concerned about the abusive behavior
• Place responsibility for the abuse on the abuser without placing blame
• Tell your friend that you care no matter what
• Offer to help your friend seek help
• Be a role model for healthy relationships - treat your partner with respect
• Call the police if you witness an assault
• Tell your friend to call a local domestic violence agency

Call the Women's Resource center at 633-3233,

or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Also you can call the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline and Shelter at

933-2722