What is abuse? Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions and/or threats that frighten, intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, or injure someone. For example, abuse may include name-calling, pushing, shoving, pulling hair, hitting with objects, or cruelty to animals.
No one wants or deserves to be abused, and admitting that you are in an abusive relationship can be difficult. However, it is important to know that physical abuse is not the only type of abuse. To determine if you may be in an abusive relationship, ask yourself some of these questions:
- Does your partner call you names, insult you, or humiliate you?
- Does your partner act jealous or possessive? Do they tell you that they don't trust you?
- Does your partner try to isolate you from family or friends?
- Does your partner monitor where you go, who you call, or with whom you spend your time?
- Does your partner hurt or threaten to hurt you, your children, your family, or your pet(s)?
- Does your partner force you to leave your home or keep you from leaving?
- Does your partner control your money? Does your partner tell you how you can spend your money or not allow you access to your funds?
More on the Relationship Spectrum
More on Identifying Abusive Relationships
Take a Self Quiz with additional questions that can help you determine if you are in an abusive relationship or if your actions may be abusive.