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Domestic Violence 101

Emergency Shelter & 24-Hour Crisis Line

Toll Free: 1.800.681.8663

Local: 304.340.3549

24-Hour Crisis Chat

 

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What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive behavior used by one person in order to maintain power and control in a relationship. Batterers repeatedly subject their victims to physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and/or financial tactics of control in order to force them to do something the batterer wants them to do without regard to the victims’ rights or well being.

Safety Planning

Leaving a violent relationship can be a dangerous time. If you’re thinking about leaving, call the YWCA Resolve Program for help with safety planning. An Advocate will assist you with a step-by-step process to help you make safe choices and minimize the risks of leaving for you and your children.

Are You A Victim?

Does your partner...

  • Embarrass you with bad manners and put-downs?

  • Look at you or act in ways that scare you?

  • 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, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?

  • Make all the decisions?

  • Accuse you of being a bad parent or threaten to take away or
    hurt your children?

  • Act like the abuse is no big deal, it’s 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 kill you?​

If you know someone who is being abused:

  • Listen, and give emotional support and comfort.

  • Let the person express how they feel, but do not pry for details.

  • Don’t be judgmental or ask why they didn’t confide in you sooner.

  • Reassure the person that whatever happened was not their fault.

  • Let the victim make personal decisions about responding to the assault.

  • Help the person secure a safe place to stay.

  • Refer the person to community resources such as the YWCA Resolve
    Family Abuse. See Emergency Shelter & 24-hour Crisis Line to the left.

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