Domestic Abuse
Help is Available
Call the Student Counseling Center at 719.549.2838 or the National Domestic Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE * 800-787-3224 (TTY)
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WHAT IS DOMESTIC ABUSE?
Domestic abuse has many forms. It can be physical battering, sexual abuse, or psychological battering. The abuse can be emotional, economic, and verbal. The most common abusers are usually members of the family. The abuser wants power and control over others. The abuser may use threats and intimidation. This person wants you to feel fear. Perpetrators come in all ages, and from all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. There is not one certain type of person who gets abused. Both men and women can be victims of physical assault. -
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP, PLEASE ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS
- Are you afraid most of the time?
- Do you have to be careful about everything you do?
- Have you been hit, slapped, kicked, punched, or choked?
- Do you think it is your fault?
- Can you continue to love and respect this person?
- Do you think about killing him or her to stop the abuse?
- Has this person threatened to kill you?
- Were you abused as a child?
- Do you have any close friends?
- Do you feel ashamed, isolated and helpless?
- Do you feel numb inside?
- Do you feel like you are going crazy?
All of these can be potential signs that you are in an abusive relationship.
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THE CYCLE OF ABUSE
- I make excuses for the abuse.
- Things seem great. I think the abuse is over.
- We return to a routine in our lives.
- Tension starts to build.
- Something sets this person off.
- The abuse happens again.
- I make excuses for the abuse.
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Be Aware of the Truth
- The abuse is not for your "own good".
- It is not normal to be abused.
- You do not deserve to be abused.
- Abusing someone is not a way to show love.
- The abuse will happen again and again.
- You do need to talk about it.
- The abuser needs help, too.
