Abusive Behavior Examples

Sometimes it is difficult to know when a person is being abused. Abuse is any behavior that is used to intimidate or control an intimate partner. These are just some of the examples of abusive behavior.

Does your partner:

• Constantly ridicule or insult you?
• Become extremely jealous?
• Undermine your sense of power or confidence?
• Make you account for every minute you are not together?
• Manipulate you with lies, contradictions or promises?
• Prevent you from seeing your friends and family?
• Get angry when you disagree?
• Make you ask for permission before you go out, get a job or go to school?
• Abuse your pet to frighten you?
• Destroy your property?
• Restrain you?
• Throw objects at you?
• Threaten you with weapons or objects?
• Threaten to hurt your children?
• Hit, slap, punch, shove or kick you?

Another way to understand if you are a victim of abuse is by asking yourself questions about how your partner's behavior affects you.

• Do you feel you do not have the right to say "no"?
• Are you afraid to disagree?
• Have you stopped inviting guests to your home?
• Have you stopped seeing your family and friends?
• Do you feel responsible for the abuse?
• Are you unable to go out, get a job, or go to school without permission?
• Do you avoid talking to friends or acquaintances of the opposite sex for fear that your partner may become jealous and abusive?

If you feel that you are being abused, consider calling our 24-hour, confidential helpline (973) 267-4763 or 1-800-R-U-ABUSED. Trained counselors can help you sort out your options and plan for your safety.

NEXT: Myths about Abuse