Is This Abuse?
How is your relationship?
Does your partner:
-
Embarrass you with put-downs?
- Control what you do, who you see or talk to or where you go?
- Stop you from seeing your friends or family members?
- Take your money or Social Security check, make you ask for money or refuse to give you money?
- Make all of the decisions?
- Tell you that you’re a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
- Prevent you from working or attending school?
- Act like the abuse is no big deal, it’s your fault, or even deny doing it?
- Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
- Intimidate you with guns, knives or other weapons?
- Shove you, slap you, choke you, or hit you?
- Force you to try and drop charges?
- Threaten to commit suicide?
- Threaten to kill you?
If you answered yes to even one of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship. Please call AWAIC at (907) 272-0100 for help and support.
Do you know how to
lend a helping hand?
If you know someone who is being abused:
Don’t be afraid to let him or her know that you are concerned for their safety.
Acknowledge that he or she is in a very difficult and scary situation. Remember that what they need most is someone who will believe and listen to them. Be non-judgmental. Respect your friend or family member’s decisions. There are many reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships. Know that he or she may leave and return to the relationship many times. Do not criticize his or her decisions or try to make them feel guilty. He or she will need your support even more during those times. Help him or her to develop a safety plan. Encourage him or her to talk to people who can provide help and guidance. Offer information about AWAIC and give them the crisis line number (907) 272-0100.
Are your behaviors abusive? Calling bad names or putting someone down Shouting and cursing Hitting, slapping and/or pushing Making threats of any kind Jealously and suspicion Keeping someone away from family and friends Throwing things around the house Controlling access to money
Abuse is:
It passes from generation to generation.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
If you abuse, you can choose to stop.
Call AWAIC today to ask about resources for ending abusive behaviors. (907) 279-9581.
