You are not alone
- Both men and women are vulnerable to abuse
- Every 9 seconds in the U.S. a woman is assaulted or beaten
- Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women - more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined
- Studies suggest that up to 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence
- Most individuals are abused by someone they know
Abuse is not only physical
Abusers May:
- Verbally abuse you, belittle you, or humiliate you in front of friends, colleagues, family, or on social media sites.
- Be possessive, act jealous, or harass you with accusations of being unfaithful.
- Try to control where you go and who you see.
- Try to control how you spend money or deliberately default on joint financial obligations.
- Make false allegations about you to your friends, employer, the police, or find other ways to manipulate and isolate you.
- Threaten to leave you and prevent you from seeing your kids if you report the abuse.
- Verbally abuse you, belittle you, or humiliate you in front of friends, colleagues, family, or on social media sites.
- Be possessive, act jealous, or harass you with accusations of being unfaithful.
- Try to control where you go and who you see.
- Try to control how you spend money or deliberately default on joint financial obligations.
- Make false allegations about you to your friends, employer, the police, or find other ways to manipulate and isolate you.
- Threaten to leave you and prevent you from seeing your kids if you report the abuse.
CREATE A SAFETY PLAN
If you are still in the relationship:
- Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs - avoid rooms with no exits (bathroom), or rooms with weapons (kitchen).
- Think about and make a list of safe people to contact.
- Keep change with you at all times.
- Memorize all important numbers.
- Establish a "code word" or "sign" so that family, friends, teachers or co-workers know when to call for help.
- Think about what you will say to your partner if he\she becomes violent.
- Keep photocopies of identification, prescriptions, school records, and other important documents.
- Keep a packed bag of clothing and toiletries in a trusted place in case you need to flee your home at any time.
If you have left the relationship:
- Change your phone number.
- Screen calls.
- Save and document all contacts, messages, injuries or other incidents involving the batterer.
- Change locks, if the batterer has a key.
- Avoid staying alone.
- Plan how to get away if confronted by an abusive partner.
- If you have to meet your partner, do it in a public place.
- Vary your routine.
- Notify school and work contacts.
- Call a shelter for battered women.
- Think of a safe place to go if an argument occurs - avoid rooms with no exits (bathroom), or rooms with weapons (kitchen).
- Think about and make a list of safe people to contact.
- Keep change with you at all times.
- Memorize all important numbers.
- Establish a "code word" or "sign" so that family, friends, teachers or co-workers know when to call for help.
- Think about what you will say to your partner if he\she becomes violent.
- Keep photocopies of identification, prescriptions, school records, and other important documents.
- Keep a packed bag of clothing and toiletries in a trusted place in case you need to flee your home at any time.
If you have left the relationship:
- Change your phone number.
- Screen calls.
- Save and document all contacts, messages, injuries or other incidents involving the batterer.
- Change locks, if the batterer has a key.
- Avoid staying alone.
- Plan how to get away if confronted by an abusive partner.
- If you have to meet your partner, do it in a public place.
- Vary your routine.
- Notify school and work contacts.
- Call a shelter for battered women.
Domestic Violence Services - 24 hour hotline
1-800-572-7233
Emergency Shelter
Women Aware, Inc.
250 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-249-4900
1-800-572-7233
Emergency Shelter
Women Aware, Inc.
250 Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-249-4900