| When people think of domestic violence, the usual | | | | really evaluate your relationship. |
| scenario that they picture features a male aggressor | | | | Does your spouse belittle you, either in public or |
| and a female victim. While this is certainly the most | | | | private? One way that people gain control over their |
| common type of abuse that gets reported, it is also | | | | partners is through constantly making them feel as |
| important to remember that it is far from the only | | | | though they can't do anything right. This essentially |
| kind of domestic abuse that happens. | | | | fosters a dependence on their spouse's approval and |
| There are certainly domestic abuse cases where a | | | | it can be extremely damaging. It can also make |
| man is abused by his wife or girlfriend and the truth | | | | getting away a lot more psychologically difficult. |
| of the matter is that these crimes are often | | | | Has your wife ever tried to separate you from your |
| unreported due to embarrassment or shame. In our | | | | family or friends? There is difference between not |
| culture, the picture of a woman beating or assaulting | | | | caring for your family or friends and taking steps to |
| a man is played for laughs, but if you find that you | | | | make sure that you do not get to see them. One of |
| are in a situation where you are fearing for your | | | | an abuser's most important actions is to separate |
| safety or living in an environment of fear, it is time to | | | | you from the people that love you and care about |
| consider what your next step could be. | | | | you. Do you feel as though you are growing |
| Nobody likes to admit that they are in a relationship | | | | increasingly distant from the people that you care |
| where they are being abused, and even more than | | | | about. |
| that, there is the concern that they don't know that | | | | Another important indication that you might be being |
| they are being abused. Sometimes, things like physical | | | | abused is that you find yourself increasingly silenced. |
| intimidation starts small and ramps up later on, or | | | | It might not be anything as obvious as your spouse |
| perhaps every incident seems like an isolated thing, | | | | speaking for you or telling you to be quiet. Do you |
| not something that is indicative of a trend. Take a | | | | find that you are reluctant to talk to your friends and |
| look at some of the signs below and consider | | | | family about the fights that you have been having? |
| whether or not you might be an abused husband. | | | | Do you avoid telling the truth because of the "way |
| Ask yourself if your wife has ever struck you. Many | | | | that it sounds"? This is a very strong indicator that |
| men will dismiss their wives striking them as | | | | something has gone drastically wrong. |
| something playful or meant in fun, but remember | | | | If you are an abused husband, take steps |
| that sometimes "joking" blows are anything but. If | | | | immediately. There is no excuse for cruelty to |
| your spouse has ever struck you out of anger or | | | | another person and you owe it to yourself to leave |
| exasperation, or if she has done anything that makes | | | | a situation which may become or which might already |
| you feel threatened, this is the time to stop and to | | | | be dangerous for you. This is vital! |