What is an abusive relationship

People in relationships can be abused in several ways. Emotional, physical, and verbal abuse are considered the most common forms of relationship abuse.

Emotionally abusive: Any action or inaction used to control or hurt another person.

Examples include:

Controlling access to money
Intense jealousy
Criticizing a partner's looks
Unwanted sexual demands
Isolating another from family and friends
Making fun of partner
Keeping partner up all night
Manipulating with lies
Threatening separation
Having affairs
Constant questioning about activities
Using alcohol or drugs
Accusations of affairs
Keeping partner from working or from school

Physically abusive: Any use of size, strength, or presence to hurt or control someone else

Examples include:

Pushing
Shoving
Biting
Grabbing
Pinching
Kicking
Pulling
Kneeing
Burning
Stabbing
Slapping
Spitting
Choking
Shooting
Spanking
Restraining
Forcibly carrying
Backhanding
Pinning against a wall
Pushing out of car
Punching with a fist
Abuse of children
Trying to hit with car
Forced sex
Throwing things
Abuse of animals
Driving recklessly
Twisting arms
Tearing clothes
Standing or sitting on partner
Punching walls or doors
Pulling hair
Slamming drawers
Attacking with an object
Breaking things
Chasing
Unplugging phone
Stalking
Standing behind car to prevent driving away
Taking car keys, credit cards, money, or checkbook
Taking children
Trapping
Clenching fists as a threat
Standing in a doorway to prevent exit
Any other unwanted physical attack

Verbally abusive: Any use of words used to control or hurt another person

Examples include:

Accusations of cheating
Calling names
Leaving nasty messages
Making insinuations
Using the silent treatment
Sneering
Yelling
Insults
Being sarcastic
Growling
Making critical statements like "you're dumb," "you're stupid," "you're ugly," or "you can't do anything right"
Threats to kill, use violence, or harm
Threats to children

These behaviors signal that something is wrong in a relationship!