Ending an Unhealthy Relationship

Quiz Answers:

Create a Safety Plan, which will help make

a break-up as safe as possible.

TRUE. Abusers are often very charming and sweet at

the beginning of a relationship, and can win over not
just their partner, but also the partners friends and family.

Talk to a counselor about what steps to take

beforehand.

TRUE. Constantly checking up on a partner may be a way

of controlling them.

Decide ahead of time what you will say,

and when and where you will tell your
partner.

TRUE. An abuser can use other tactics such as

emotional abuse or isolation to gain power and control
over a partner without using physical violence.

Pick a place with some privacy, but where

others are nearby.

Be clear and honest with your partner

during thebreak-up, but also gentle. Being
cruel and/or putting your partner down may
make the situation worse.

Prepare for your partners reaction. Know

how you willrespond if your partner
becomes violent.

Keep a Safety Plan in place after the breakup too.

Quick Quiz
T/F? You can not always tell if someone is
going to be abusive.

Northeastern AWD Public

Document
Kelly Brandon RN

TRUE. All threats should be taken seriously, especially

threats of violence.

Domestic violence is a pattern of many

behaviors directed at achieving and
maintaining power and control over an
intimate partner, such as physical violence,
emotional abuse, isolation of the
victim, economic abuse, intimidation, and
coercion and threats.

If someone is abusing you or someone

in your household, you do not have to
accept iteven if your spouse is the
abuser. The police and courts can help
you stop the abuse

T/F? Calling or texting a partner frequently

and always wanting to know where they are is
a clue that a relationship may not be healthy.

For more information or to get help, please call:

T/F? A relationship can be abusive even if

there is no physical violence.

THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE at

1-800-799-7233

T/F? Even if someone makes a threat just to

get what they want, it should still raise
concern.

THE NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE AT 1800-656-4673

THE NATIONAL TEEN DATING ABUSE HOTLINE AT
1-866-331-9474

Domestic violence results in physical

injury, psychological trauma, and
sometimes death. The consequences of
domestic violence can cross generations
and truly last a lifetime

Understanding Unhealthy Relationships & Recognizing Domestic Violence

Whats Healthy?

Domestic Violence Statitics

Some qualities that are an important part of building

a healthy romantic relationship are:
Respect- Respect means acting in ways that show that
you value your partner.

1.8 billionthe dollar amount of lost per year

in productivity and earnings due to intimate
partner violence.

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation,

physical assault, battery, sexual assault,
and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated
by an intimate partner against another.
It is an epidemic affecting individuals in
every community, regardless of age,
economic status, race, religion, nationality
or educational background.

1The leading cause of injury to women

is Domestic Violence

One in every four women will experience

domestic violence in her lifetime.

An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of

physical assault by an intimate partner each
year.

85% of domestic violence victims are women.

Whats Unhealthy?

Some examples of an abusive relationships can

include any of the following:

Most cases of domestic violence are never

reported to the police

Verbal Abuse: Youre so stupid and lazy, youre

never going to get anywhere in life.

Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the

greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.

Emotional Abuse: No one else would ever want to

be with you. Im all youve got.

74the percentage of battered workers

that are harassed while at work by their abuser

Sexual Abuse: I dont care what you want, youre

mine!

1 in 3the number of Americans who say they

know a woman who has been physically abused by
her husband or boyfriend in the past year

Economic Abuse: I make the money, so I make all

the decisions.

1 in 5Approximate number of female high

school students who report being physically
and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.

Minimizing, and/or Denying: That bruise is no

big deal, you cant even see it!

Understanding- Being understanding means that you

think about your partners feelings and care about
how your behavior might affect him or her.
Responsibility- Responsibility means that your partner
can count on you to look out for his/her best
interests.

Jealousy, lack of trust- Lack of r espect for a par tner s

right to privacy.
Physical violencehitting, kicking, stabbing, punching,
biting, or pushing
Sexual abuse or harassment, including for cing
someone to have sex, touching someone in ways he
or she doesnt like, and not respecting someones
physical space

Often, after the abuse happens, the abuser will

apologize and treat his or her partner with
special care. However, the abuser usually will
abuse again.

If you are in a relationship that

includes the types of behaviors listed
above, it is important to get help.

3.3 millionthe number of children who witness

some form of domestic violence annually.
503,485the number women are stalked by an
intimate partner.
0number of races where domestic violence is

Violence against women is often

accompanied by emotionally abusive and
controlling behavior, and thus is part of a
systematic pattern of dominance and
control.
Domestic violence may include:

Peer Pressure: Thats what everyone else does.

Blaming: If you hadnt gone out with your friends,

I wouldnt have acted like that!
Intimidation & Threats: If you break up with me,
Ill post your secrets online.
Isolation & Extreme Jealousy: Where are you?
Who are you with? What are you doing?

References
American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family. (2006). Violence and the family. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Browne, A. (2013). Violence against women by male partners: Prevalence, outcomes, and policy implications. American Psychologist, 48, 1077-1087.
Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2008, March). Violence by intimates (NCJ167237). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.
Heise, L, with Pitanguy, J., & Germain, A. (2013). Violence against women: The hidden health burden. Discussion paper prepared for the World Bank. Washington, DC: The World Bank.
Koss, M.P., Goodman, L.A., Browne, A., Fitzgerald, L.F., Keita, G.P., & Russo, N.F. (2007). No safe haven: Male violence against women at home, at work, and in the community. Washington,
D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Koss, M.P., Koss, P., & Woodruff, W. (2011). Deleterious effects of criminal victimization on women's health and medical utilization. Archives of Internal Medicine, 151, 342-357.
Miller, T.R., Cohen, M.A., & Wiersema, B. (2006, February). Victim costs and consequences: A new look. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.
National Victim Center. (2012). Rape in America: A report to the nation. Arlington, VA: Author.
Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2006). Violence against women: Preliminary findings from the Violence and Threats Against Women in America Survey. Denver: Center for Policy Research.
U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. (2010). Sexual Harassment in the Federal Workplace: Trends, Progress, Continuing Challenges. Washington, D.C.: Author.