Am I Being Abused?

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(provided by National Coalition Against Domestic Violence)

Look over the following questions. Think about how you are being treated and how you treat your partner. Remember, when one person scares, hurts, or continually puts down the other person, it’s abuse.

Does your partner…

  • Embarrass or make fun of you in front of your friends or family?
  • Put down your accomplishments or goals?
  • Make you feel like you are unable to make decisions?
  • Use intimidation or threats to gain compliance?
  • Tell you that you are nothing without them?
  • Treat you roughly – grab, push, pinch, shove or hit you?
  • Call you several times a night or show up to make sure you are where you said you would be?
  • Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for saying hurtful things or abusing you?
  • Blame you for how they feel or act?
    Pressure you sexually for things you aren’t ready for?
  • Make you feel like there “is no way out” of the relationship?
  • Prevent you from doing things you want – like spending time with your friends or family?
  • Try to keep you from leaving after a fight or leave you somewhere after a fight to “teach you a lesson”?

Do you…

  • Sometimes feel scared of how your partner will act?
  • Constantly make excuses to other people for your partner’s behavior?
  • Believe that you can help your partner change if only you changed something about yourself?
  • Try not to do anything that would cause conflict or make your partner angry?
  • Always do what your partner wants you to do instead of what you want?
    Stay with you partner because you are afraid of what your partner would do if you broke-up?

If any of these are happening in your relationship, talk to someone. Without some help, the abuse will continue.

(Adapted from Reading and Teaching Teens to Stop Violence, Nebraska Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition, Lincoln, NE).

Your Rights

  • You have the right not to be abused.
  • You have the right to anger over past beatings.
  • You have a right to choose to change the situation.
  • You have a right to freedom from fear of abuse.
  • You have a right to request and expect assistance from police or social agencies.
  • You have the right to share your feelings and not be isolated from others.
  • You have the right to want a better role model of communication for your children.
  • You have the right to be treated like an adult.
  • You have the right to leave the battering environment.
  • You have the right to privacy.
  • You have the right to express your own thoughts and feelings.
  • You have the right to develop your individual talents and abilities.
  • You have the right to legally prosecute the abusing spouse.
  • You have the right not to be perfect.
  • You have the right to joy.
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