CYCLE OF ABUSE
Recognizing the Forms or Signs of Abuse
Recognizing the Forms or Signs of Abuse
Economic / Financial Abuse
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Sabotages your livelihood
Refuses to work Takes or makes you ask for money Prevents you from having or keeping employment Does not allow you access to finances or add name on bank account(s) Excludes you from financial decisions Forges your name on documents |
Interfers with your ability to maintain a job
Interfers with childcare, transportation or other arrangements Harasses you at work Have to account for any money spent Prevents you from basic necessities (food, clothing, medication) Limits you to an allowance or none at all Takes bank or credit cards |
Emotional Abuse
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Do not appreciate or value your opinions or feelings
Intimidates or threatens to feel superior or to win arguments Reminds you of any shortcomings Disrepects you or your request and does what they think is best Tries to convince you that your thoughts or feelings are wrong Become nervous or anxiety increases when around your partner Begin to withdraw from social interaction Become depressed or experience bouts of depression or sadness |
Makes you feel worthless
Repercussions for not complying Belittles your plans, your dreams or accomplishments Always correcting you or saying your behavior is inappropriate Dismisses, disregards, ignores or ridicules you regarding your suggestions Makes you feel fearful or guilty Begin to feel insecure or have low self-esteem Contemplate suicide as a way out of your pain |
Physical Abuse
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Slapping
Choking Pushing Restraining or holding captive Pulling hair Biting Preventing medical attention or seeking medical care |
Punching
Shoving Kicking Throwing objects Pinching Pinning you down Using or threatening to use a weapon |
Psychological Abuse
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Isolates you from your family and friends
Ignores your feelings Threatens to leave or demand you to leave Threatens to take your child(ren) Makes threats against you, children or other family members Always right about everything Is unfaithful and blames you |
Breaks promises or does not follow through with agreements
Does not take share of responsibility Plays mind games Hides personal belongings like keys, purse, bank or credit cards Withholds affection as a form of punishment Controls your activities, your whereabouts or who you talk to Forces you to do things against your will |
Sexual Abuse
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Demanding sex
Unwanted touching Withholding sex Keeping you from using birth control |
Forcing sex
Forcing you to have sex with others Forcing you to engage in prostitution or pornography Refusing to use safe sex |
Verbal Abuse
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Calls you names
Embarrasses you in public by saying negative things loudly Humiliates Says you are nothing or will never be anything with/out him/her Blames |
Degrades you in front of family and friends
Criticizes Accuses Says hurtful things or jokes and ignores your request to stop Questions your sanity (says you are stupid, crazy, don't remember things) |
