Learn How to Recognize Violence & Report It
If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, call the 24-hour Family Violence Help Line (toll-free) at 310-1818.
If there is immediate danger, always dial 911.
Signs & Symptoms
Family violence comes in all forms, affecting children, adults, seniors, pets, and people across economic and cultural spectrums.
What abusers will say
| I was just joking. | I was having a bad day. | You got me upset. | It won't happen again. |
| I didn't mean to hurt you. | You deserved it. | You know what sets me off. | You're just as bad as me. |
| You know I have an anger problem. | It didn't happen like that. |
What victims will say to justify not leaving their abuser
| It was my fault. I got him mad. | He apologized and promised it won't happen again. | It doesn't happen all the time. |
| I know he loves me, and I love him. | I don't want to leave because of the children. | We have a lot of great times together. |
| I don't have a job. | Nobody else wants me. | I'm afraid he will kill me. |
| I don't have enough money. | I don't have anywhere to go. |
Abusers will use a variety of these methods on their victims
| PHYSICAL | pushing and shoving | restraining | slapping |
| punching | threatening to physically abuse | kicking | suffocating |
| using a weapon | kidnapping | physical abuse | strangling |
| biting | pinching | pulling hair | |
| SEXUAL | |||
| sabotaging birth control methods | objectifying or treating the victim like a sexual object | ||
| forcing the victim to have an abortion | raping or forcing the victim into unwanted sexual practies | ||
| sexually assaulting the children |
Information courtesy of www.childwelfare.gov and www.whengeorgiasmiled.org.