Domestic violence is a pattern of intentional, coercive behaviors that may include verbal, physical, sexual, financial and/or emotional abuse directed against current or former spouses/partners, parents, children or any family member, in order to establish and maintain power and control.

Some behaviors in this pattern are clearly criminal acts. Other behaviors are not necessarily illegal but are abusive and controlling, designed to intimidate or instill fear.

Victims of domestic abuse come from every culture, income group, age, and religion. They frequently share feelings of isolation, guilt, fear, shame, and helplessness. Intervention by the criminal justice system is often necessary, and, with support, victims can emerge as survivors.

Does your partner or family member:

• Threaten or intimidate you, your children, or your pets?
• Become extremely jealous or overprotective?
• Destroy personal property?
• Call you names or make fun of you?
• Treat your roughly - grab, push, punch, shove, kick, or hit you?
• Pressure you sexually?
• Use drugs or alcohol as an excuse for his/her behavior?

If you answered yes to ANY of these questions, you are at risk of being a victim of domestic violence.