Intimate partner violence is rarely an isolated incident. Several indicators may point toward abuse. If you are experiencing any of the warning signs listed here, call our 24-hour crisis line at 503.469.8620 or toll free at 1.866.469.8600.
You may be a victim of domestic violence if your partner:
Jealousy and possessiveness
- Isolates you from your friends and family
- Rifles through your belongings
- Wants you to drop all your friends, especially of the same sex as your partner’s
- Expects you to spend all your time with him/her
Controlling behavior
- Calls or texts you constantly to know where you are and what you’re doing
- Shows up at your work or school to check up on you
- Checks mileage on your car
- Bosses you around
- Gives you orders
- Makes all the decisions
- Disregards your suggestions and wishes
- Discounts your feelings
- Makes you feel trapped or crazy
- Blames you for all his/her problems and makes you feel his/her behavior is your fault
- Withholds approval
- Puts you down and calls you names
Hypersensitivity and explosive behavior
- Bursts out in anger unpredictably
- Makes you feel like you’re walking on eggshells
- Makes your friends and family concerned for you and your safety
Threatening and using violence
- Grabs, pushes, shoves, slaps, shakes, kicks, punches and chokes you
- Pressures you for sex
- Breaks or destroys objects, especially those you value
