Are you an abuser?
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you constantly check up on your dating partner? (Where they are, who they're with, etc.)?
- Are you jealous and/or possessive of your dating partner?
- Do you act out of jealousy or possessiveness? (For example, do you check their caller ID; read their e-mails; try to get them to cancel social plans?)
- Do you often criticize or insult your dating partner?
- Have you threatened or intentionally frightened your dating partner?
- Have you abandoned or threatened to abandon your dating partner in a dangerous or unknown place?
- Have you kicked, hit, thrown down, shoved, strangled or thrown objects at or near your dating partner?
- Have you harmed, injured or killed pets or other animals?
- Have you blamed your violent behavior on drinking, using drugs or your dating partner's behavior?
- Have you coerced or forced your dating partner to have sex or perform sexual acts against her will?
- Have you scared or intimidated your dating partner so he or she is afraid to say "no" to you?
- Do you verbally degrade, insult or humiliate your dating partner?
- Do you believe you are entitled to hit your dating partner if she/he does or says something you don't like?
- Do you expect your dating partner to take responsibility for your behavior?
- Do you think your dating partner may be afraid to break up with you because you have threatened to hurt her or yourself?
- Have you made your dating partner believe that you don't want him/her to see certain people or be in certain social situations?
- Have you ever threatened or considered suicide?
All of the above are forms of abuse; they are all considered domestic violence. Domestic violence is everyone's issue. There is help if you think you may be abusing your partner; you don't have to hide your problems, you can seek treatment. There are a variety of programs that can help address the need to control your partner; we can help you find resources in your area that provide batterer's intervention treatment. Call our Crisis Line at (818) 887-6589 for assistance.
All ready been arrested for domestic violence? Our crisis line has the contact information for Probation Department approved batterer's treatment programs in the Los Angeles County area.