You may be in an abusive relationship if your current boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse or partner has done any of the following:

• Withheld approval, appreciation or affection as punishment.
• Continually criticized you, called you names or shouted at you.
• Ignored your feelings regularly.
• Ridiculed or insulted your most valued beliefs, your religion, race, class or sexual preference.
• Been very jealous--harassed you about imagined affairs.
• Manipulated you with lies.
• Insisted you dress the way he/she wants.
• Humiliated you in private or public.
• Insulted or driven away your friends or family.
• Taken car keys or money away.
• Subjected you to reckless driving.
• Thrown objects at you.
• Abused pets to hurt you.
• Punched, shoved, slapped, bit, kicked, choked or hit you.
• Raped you or subjected you to other violent or degrading non-consensual sexual acts.
• Threatened to commit suicide if you leave.

State Domestic Violence Coalitions

Adapted from the Riley Center General Brochure.  Printed with permission.