SOMETIMES IT CAN BE HARD TO IDENTIFY ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S THE SAME KIND OF BEHAVIOR THAT A PERSON EXPERIENCED IN THE HOME GROWING UP.  THE ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR MAY SEEM "NORMAL".  HERE ARE SOME KEY POINTS IN IDENTIFYING ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR.

DOES YOUR PARTNER:

* Hit, slap, shove or kick you?
 

* Throw objects at you?
 

* Threaten to hurt you, your friends, or your family?
 

* Restrain you?
 

* Destroy or damage your property?
 

* Consistently ridicule or insult you?
 

* Become extremely jealous if you talk to other people or go places on your own?
 

* Make you account for every minute?
 

* Manipulate you with lies, contradictions, or promises?
 

* Pressure you for sexual activity?
 

* Unjustly accuse you of flirting?
 

* Threaten to harm him/herself if you break up?
 

* Use drugs/alcohol as an excuse for a violent temper

HOW DOES THIS BEHAVIOR AFFECT YOU:                                                                        * Do you feel you don’t have the right to say “no”?
 

* Are you afraid to disagree?
 

* Have you stopped seeing your friends?
 

* Do you feel responsible for the abuse?
 

* Do you lie to yourself and others about the relationship?
 

* Do you wear certain clothes to hide bruises?
 

* Do you have to ask permission to go out with friends or to activities you enjoy?
 

* Do you avoid talking to friends because of fear of jealousy and abuse?