H.U.G.S.

What is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence comes in many forms, including emotional, physical and sexual. The abuse generally comes from the abuser’s desire for power and control.

The list to the right can help you recognize if you or someone you care about is in a dangerous or unhealthy relationship.

Take note of the behaviors that apply to the situation. The more items that apply, the more dangerous the situation and the greater the need to get help.

Confidential Phone: 781-784-5056
For more information call: 781-784-5056

Typical Domestic Violence Behaviors

__Verbal abuse Name calling, blaming, yelling, humiliating remarks
___Pressure tactics Rushing you to make decisions through “guilt trips,”
threatening to withhold money, manipulating the children
___Abusing authority Always claiming to be right, making decisions for you
___Disrespect Interrupting, changing the subject, twisting your words, putting you down in front of others
___Abusing trust Lying, withholding information, cheating on you, being overly jealous
___breaking promises Not following through on agreements, refusing to help
with children or housework
___Emotional withholding Not expressing feelings, not giving support, attention or compliments
___Minimizing, denying and blaming Making light of behavior, saying the abuse didn’t happen, shifting responsibility for the abuse
___Economic control Not letting you work, refusing to give you money or taking it from you, taking your car keys
___Self-destructive behavior Abusing alcohol or drugs, threatening suicide or other forms of self harm
___Isolation Making it difficult for you to see friends and family, monitoring your phone calls, telling you where you can and cannot go
___Harassment Stalking Making uninvited visits or calls, following you, checking up on you, embarrassing you in public
___Intimidation Making angry or threatening gestures, using physical size, driving recklessly
___Destruction Destroying your possessions, punching walls, throwing things
___Threats Making and/or carrying out threats to hurt you or others
___Sexual violence Degrading treatment, using force, threats or coercion to obtain sex
___Physical violence Being violent to your children, pets or others; slapping, punching, grabbing, kicking, biting, burning, pushing, etc.
___Weapons Using weapons, keeping weapons around to frighten you