“Is this abuse?” is a question a woman often asks herself when she feels her relationship is in trouble. Women are sometimes unsure of what actually constitutes abuse and what does not.
Here are a few questions which you should ask yourself if your relationship is in trouble and you need guidance to ascertain if you are a victim of abuse.
There are a number of categories of abuse – Physical, Psychological, Financial, Sexual and Verbal abuse. Usually, women find in abusive relationships that the abuse may fall into more than one category.
Does your partner
- Embarrass you in front of friends?
- Control what you do and where you go?
- Stop you from seeing family or friends?
- Control the money in the home?
- Frighten your children?
- Destroy property?
- Act as if you are making a big deal of the abuse?
- Destroy your belongings or things that are important to you?
- Intimidate you with weaponry?
- Insist on sex when you do not want to?
- Threaten to commit suicide?
- Threaten to murder you or your children?
If you answer yes to more than two of these questions it is very possible that you are in an abusive relationship and you may need to seek help.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or is affected by any of the issues mentioned above phone COPE Galway Domestic Abuse Service at 091 565 985 (24 hours)
