How can I tell if I am in an Abusive Relationship?
Sometimes it is easy to tell that you are being abused. You know that your partner hits you. You have bruises and scars. You are sometimes afraid of your partner.
Sometimes it isn't as obvious. Maybe your partner has never hit you, but you still don't like the way he treats you. Maybe he gets physical with you when he gets drunk or is angry. Maybe he shoves you or kicks you. It's still abuse, even he doesn't hit you.
In some relationships there is no physical abuse at all. Instead, your partner might put you down or insult you when he gets angry. Maybe he tries to control you by telling you who you can and can't spend time with or when you're allowed to go out or what kind of job you can work at. Maybe he won't even let you work at all, instead insisting that you stay at home so you're available to meet his needs. This is also a form of abuse, known as emotional or psychological abuse.
If you're not sure that the relationship that you're in is "abusive," here are some signs to look for:
Sometimes it isn't as obvious. Maybe your partner has never hit you, but you still don't like the way he treats you. Maybe he gets physical with you when he gets drunk or is angry. Maybe he shoves you or kicks you. It's still abuse, even he doesn't hit you.
In some relationships there is no physical abuse at all. Instead, your partner might put you down or insult you when he gets angry. Maybe he tries to control you by telling you who you can and can't spend time with or when you're allowed to go out or what kind of job you can work at. Maybe he won't even let you work at all, instead insisting that you stay at home so you're available to meet his needs. This is also a form of abuse, known as emotional or psychological abuse.
If you're not sure that the relationship that you're in is "abusive," here are some signs to look for:
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Everyone has bad days. But if you are experiencing one or more of these behaviours or acts from your partner regularly, your relationship may be abusive. Fortunately, there are numerous local resources available to help you learn how to take control of your own circumstances, make healthy decisions, feel safe and secure and take charge of your destiny.