Signs of Abuse

PHYSICAL ABUSE

• pushed or shoved you
• restrained you from leaving
• slapped or bit you
• kicked, choked, hit, or punched you
• locked you out of the house
• abandoned you in a dangerous place
• refused to help you when you were sick, injured, or pregnant
• subjected you to reckless driving
• forced you off the road or kept you from driving
• threatened or hurt you with a weapon

SEXUAL ABUSE

• told anti-women jokes or made demeaning remarks about women
• treated women as sex objects
• been jealously angry, assuming you would have sex with another
• insisted you dress in a more sexual way than you wanted
• minimized the importance of your feelings about sex
• criticized your sexuality
• insisted on unwanted and uncomfortable touching
• raped you
• withheld sex or affection
• called you derogatory sexual names like “whore” or “frigid”
• publicly showed sexual interest in other people
• had affairs with others after agreeing to a monogamous relationship
• forced you to have unwanted sex with others or forced you to watch others
• forced particular unwanted sexual acts
• forced sex after physical violence
• forced sex when you were sick or it was dangerous to your health
• forced sex for the purpose of hurting you with objects or weapons
• committed sadistic sexual acts
  
  

EMOTIONAL & VERBAL ABUSE

• ignored your feelings
• ridiculed or insulted women as a group
• ridiculed or insulted your most valued beliefs, your religion, race or heritage
• withheld approval, appreciation, or affection as punishment
• continually criticized you, called you names, shouted at you
• insulted or drove away your friends or family
• humiliated you in public or private
• refused to socialize with you
• kept you from working, controlled your money or made all decisions
• refused to work or share money
• took car keys or money away
• regularly threatened to leave or told you to leave
• threatened to kidnap the children if you left
• abused pets to hurt you
• told you about affairs in which the abuser has been engaged
• harassed you about affairs the abuser imagined you were having
• manipulated you with lies and contradictions

STALKING & CYBERSTALKING

• followed you
• quizzed you about where you have been, whom you were with, etc.
• listened to or monitored your phone calls
• called you at work or friends’ homes
• sent threatening or obscene email to locate or harass you
• sent you a multitude of junk email, spamming you
• harassed you via live chat or flaming (online verbal abuse)
• sent you electronic viruses
• sent you unsolicited emails
• traced your computer and internet activity
• stole your electronic/internet identity
• posted improper or enticing information on message boards & guest books using your name, phone number, or email address, resulting in subsequent responses being sent to you