Are You Experiencing Abuse?

If you think your interactions with your partner might be abusive, ask yourself the questions below.

Does your partner:

  • Embarrass you with bad names and put downs?
  • Control what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go?
  • Stop you from seeing or talking to friends or family?
  • Take your money or Social Security, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?
  • Make all the decisions?
  • Look at you in ways that scare you?
  • Tell you you’re a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
  • Act like the abuse is no big deal, it is your fault or even deny doing it?
  • Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
  • Intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons?
  • Shove you, slap you or hit you?
  • Force you to drop charges?
  • Threaten to commit suicide?

If you answered “yes” to even one of these questions, your relationship may be abusive.

If you want to talk to someone about your relationship and you’re in Illinois, you can find your local domestic violence service program here. All of the Illinois programs operate a 24-hour, confidential phone line where you can talk to someone who understands and can help.

Or you can call the 24/7 Illinois Domestic Violence hotline at 877-863-6338 or National Domestic Violence hotline at 800-799-7233 (TTY 800-787-3224).