Abuse means treating someone with violence, disrespect, cruelty, harm, or force. When someone treats their partner in any of these ways, it’s called an abusive relationship. Abuse in a relationship can be physical, sexual, or emotional. Or it could be all of these.
An abusive partner might use mean words, threats, or shaming. They might act with jealousy or controlling behavior. Or with physical or sexual violence. These things can start small and build over time.
If you think you’re in an abusive relationship, it’s time to get help. There are people to help you get to a safe situation. There are people to help you sort out all the emotions of partner abuse.
Am I in an Abusive Relationship?
Here are some warning signs. You might be in an abusive relationship if someone:
harms you physically in any way. This includes hitting, pushing, shaking, or kicking.
threatens to harm you if you leave the relationship
threatens to harm themselves if you leave the relationship
forces you, or tries to force you, into any type of sexual act that you don’t want
tries to control parts of your life, like how you dress, who you hang out with, and what you say
often shames you or makes you feel unworthy
twists the truth to make you feel you are to blame for their actions
demands to know where you are at all times
often acts jealous or angry when you want to spend time with your friends
makes mean or rude comments on social media
demands or asks for your sign-in information for your social media accounts
Get help from a therapist or someone at a helpline if you feel unsure of whether you’re in an abusive relationship.
How Can I Get Out of an Abusive Relationship?
Know that you have the right to be safe. You have the right to be treated with respect. Knowing this is the first step.
Confide in someone you know. Tell a parent, trusted adult, health provider, or friend what you’re going through so they can help. Many adults know how to help in this situation. An adult might be able to get you to safety faster than a friend can.
Get help and support from experts. Going through abuse can leave you feeling confused, scared, or exhausted. Find a therapist to help you get your emotional strength back. They can help you sort through the many emotions you might be dealing with.
Get advice from someone at a helpline too. Learn more about how to get out of an abuse relationship safely. The helpline advisors also can talk to you about other things that might help you move forward.
