Domestic violence, also called relationship violence or intimate partner violence, occurs when one person in a relationship purposely hurts another person physically or emotionally.
Available figures show that one in three women and one in four men have experienced domestic violence within their lifetime. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. The pressures of the pandemic have increased calls for help by those in an abusive relationship.
Know the signs
Domestic violence often starts out as threats and verbal abuse and frequently escalates to physical violence. Many people may not recognize that their relationship is unhealthy, or they may be hopeful that their partner will change.
You are in an abusive relationship if your partner engages in the following:
• Emotional abuse: Yelling, ridiculing you, controlling what you do, threatening to cause serious problems for you, isolating you from friends and family, restricting your finances
• Physical abuse: Hitting, shoving, kicking, biting or throwing things
• Sexual abuse: Forcing you to have sex or do something sexual that you don’t want to do
• Threatening you at work: Harassing phone calls, texts or emails; stalking in the parking lot, following you, or other threatening behavior
The stresses of the pandemic have increased calls for help. Call now.
• If you are in immediate danger, call 911
• For more information or to get help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.SAFE (7233) or 800.787.3224 (TTD)
• If you are a member of Health Advocate, call to get help to explore your options, access further resources, and find the support you need to feel safe
