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Anyone can be affected by domestic violence, regardless of race, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identify, or economic status.

Domestic Violence, or abuse, is a pattern of violent or manipulative behavior that someone uses to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. This pattern can be physical, emotional, economic and/or sexual. 

Ten Warning Signs of Abuse

Does your partner: 

  1. Put you down or call you names? 

  2. Control where you go or who you spend time with? 

  3. Hurt you by hitting, kicking, or strangling you? 

  4. Blame you for their violent or abusive behaviors? 

  5. Threaten to take your children away? 

  6. Treat you like a servant or make all the decisions in the relationship? 

  7. Prevent you from getting or keeping a job? 

  8. Make or carry out threats? 

  9. Make you afraid using looks or gestures? 

  10. Pressure or force you into unwanted sex? 

Answering yes to any of these questions could mean that you are in or at risk of being in an abusive relationship. It is not your fault, you are not alone, and there is help available.  

Learn More about Domestic Violence and Tips for Safety

The one who commits the abuse is the one with the problem. It is not the person experiencing the abuse’s job to stop the violence, but there are ways they can make themselves safer. 

Resources
Resource Description 
Power and Control Wheel  Understand the kinds of unhealthy relationship behavior. 
National Network to End Domestic Violence   Education, information and national policies about domestic violence.  
The Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence  Find supports in Vermont, or get involved to help end violence.
Pride Center’s SafeSpace program   Services for LGBTQ+ survivors of abuse. 
Deaf Vermonters Advocacy Services   For Deaf, Deaf/Blind and Hard of Hearing victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. 
Association of Africans Living in Vermont  Domestic violence education and help, and sexual health education. 
Am I in a Healthy Relationship? ~ Teens Health  For teens about healthy relationships, warning signs of abuse, and dating violence.  
Futures Without Violence  Resources and advocacy efforts for survivors of domestic or sexual violence.  
Work Places Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence  Support, training, and technical assistance for employers, survivors, co-workers, and advocates to deal with domestic violence, sexual harassment and violence, and stalking impacting the workplace.
Engaging Bystanders in Sexual Violence Prevention   Online course on how to encourage friends and family to end sexual violence. 
Topics:
Adolescent Health | Child Abuse | Violence Prevention
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