Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence! They may be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the use of physical force against someone in a way that injures or endangers that person. There is a broad range of behaviors that can be defined as physical abuse.
Prevented you from calling the police or seeking medical attention
Hurt your children and or pets
Used physical force in sexual situations
Committed rape
Emotional or Psychological Abuse
One person controls the relationship by using fear, force, or intimidation and eventually weakens your feelings of self-worth, confidence, and independence. The abuser may use intimidation, manipulation, isolation, privilege, coercion, threats, the “silent treatment”, or other tactics to project the illusion that without them there is no hope.
You may be a victim if your partner:
Calls you names, bullies you, or continually criticizes you
Does not trust you and acts jealous or possessive
Is always right and puts you down in a way that makes you doubt yourself
Isolates you from family or friends
“Takes over” your friendship
Monitors where you go, who you call, and who you spend time with
Does not want you to work
Controls finances or refuses to share bank information or money
Punishes you by withholding affection or giving you the “silent treatment”
Expects you to ask permission for all you spend or do
Threatens to hurt you, the children, your family, or your pets
Humiliates or embarrasses you in front of others
Makes you feel controlled, isolated, intimidated, or exhausted
Sexual Abuse
Sexual violence is common in abusive relationships. Any situation in which one is forced to participate in unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual activity is sexual abuse. Forced sex, even by a spouse or intimate partner with whom you also have consensual sex, is an act of aggression and violence. The person uses force, threats, or takes advantage of someone unable to give consent to sexual acts.
You may be a victim if your partner:
Views women/men as objects and believes in rigid gender roles
Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships
Wants you to dress in a sexual way
Insults you in a sexual way or calls you sexual names
Has ever forced or manipulated you into having sex or performing sexual acts
Held you down against your will during sex
Demanded sex when you were sick, tired, or after beating you
Hurt or humiliated you with weapons or unwanted objects during sex
Involved other people in sexual activities with you
Ignored your feelings regarding sex
Refused to use protection or practice safe sex with you
Caused pain on purpose during sex or sexual acts
Committed rape against you
If these signs look familiar in your own life or that of your family and you want to make a change, contact Advocates Against Family Violence for help in Canyon County, Ada County, and surrounding areas. We can help.
If these signs look familiar in your own life or that of your family and you want to make a change, contact Advocates Against Family Violence for help in Canyon County, Ada County, and surrounding areas. We can help.
Help for individuals and families affected by domestic abuse is available now. We are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week to connect you with the care you need, safely and quickly.
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Located in Caldwell, Idaho Serving Canyon County, Ada County, and Surrounding Areas