Does your partner...
- Always have to be right?
- Put you down?
- Decide what to do, where to go, and when to do it?
- Try to tell you how to wear your hair or what clothes to wear?
- Say you are too fat, too skinny, ugly, or stupid?
- Call you humiliating names?
- Control the finances?
- Check your cell phone and tablet?
- Threaten suicide if you leave?
- Insist on knowing all your passwords?
- Get upset or jealous when you do things alone with your friends?
- Insult the type of work you do or the kind of courses you take?
- Pressure you to have unwanted sex?
- Threaten to hit you, harm your pets, or break things?
- Slap, kick, or punch you?
- Use a firearm to threaten you?
- Blame the abusive behaviour on drinking?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then your partner could be abusive.
The Cycle of Violence Over Time
Tension Builds
Stress begins to grow from the pressures of daily life, or other points of conflict. The victim may attempt to reduce tension by complying with the abuser.
Violent Episode
Verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse occurs. This includes anger, intimidation, threats, and other forms of abuse.
Honeymoon Phase
The abuser apologizes, shows remorse, and often begs for forgiveness. They may shower the victim with love and affection, and promise that the abuse will never happen again.
