| 10 Ways to Recognize and Prevent Abuse | | | | If any of these things pertain to you, you should find |
| It seems odd, but it's true: most of the people who | | | | help. |
| arevictims of abuse fail to realize how much danger | | | | Unfortunately, it is more like that domestic violence |
| they areactually in. They don't know what | | | | willbe swept under the rug by the victim's family as |
| constitutes abuse and theyare unable to identify it. | | | | well as thevictim herself. This perpetuates the |
| These 10 signs are indicationsthat you are in an | | | | abusive cycle, becausethe only way to end the |
| abusive and dangerous relationship. Ifany of these | | | | violence is to acknowledge what isgoing on and |
| apply to you, you should get out. | | | | accept that it is not right. No one should everbe |
| 1. Your partner continually threatens to kill him or | | | | made to feel like they are anything less than a |
| herselfor threatens to hurt or kill you and your | | | | humanbeing with feelings and ideas that should be |
| children. | | | | respected. Oncehelp is sought, moving on is the next |
| 2. Your significant other threatens you repeatedly if | | | | step. Getting bettercan be a long road. The goal is to |
| youmake any move to get out of the bad | | | | work towards feelings ofempowerment and to avoid |
| relationship. | | | | self-loathing. Learn Self Defensewith a martial arts |
| 3. You partner gets very jealous and possessive and | | | | class or by trying out a new selfdefense video if you |
| tries totell you who you are allowed to talk to. | | | | want, but do something to change thepresent course |
| 4. You partner does not value you or the | | | | of your life. |
| contributions youmake to your relationship or your | | | | The thing about domestic abuse and domestic |
| home. | | | | violence casesit that they tend to get worse and |
| 5. You significant other yells constantly and refuses | | | | worse over time. In thebeginning threats may be all |
| toadmit that your opinions are valid and should be | | | | you experience. Eventually,though things may |
| considered. | | | | escalate to the point where victims sufferphysical |
| 6. You partner blames you for making him or her | | | | injury. Bruises, bumps, scars, black eyes, andbroken |
| treat youabusively. | | | | bones can lead to other problems and the trauma |
| 7. Your partner does not consider your feelings | | | | ofthese events can lead victims to suffer from an |
| andhumiliates you in front of others. | | | | array ofpsychological problems as well. |
| 8. You often feel like you deserve to be mistreated | | | | Depression and the inability to form healthy |
| andabused. | | | | relationshipsare common problems for the abused. |
| 9. You are depressed and feel like you are helpless in | | | | Recovery is possible,however, and victims should |
| thesituation. | | | | seek counseling and/or grouptherapy to start |
| 10. You walk on eggshells, afraid that anything you | | | | working towards health and healing. It'snever too late |
| do orsay will have negative consequences. | | | | to end the cycle of abuse. |