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Throughout this section, we refer to the survivor as a female and the perpetrator as male. Research shows that an overwhelming number of survivors of domestic violence are women. However this is not to say that domestic violence does not happen in same-sex relationships or by women to men.

Domestic violence is characterized by a pattern of behavior used by the abuser against their partner in order to gain or keep power and control. The abuse can be in the form of physical, sexual, emotional, or financial abuse. The actions or threats of action taken by the abuser can include behavior that frightens, intimidates, terrorizes, manipulates, hurts, humiliates, or injures their partner.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, class, or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together, or who are dating. Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate.

 

For more information on domestic violence and where you can get help, please call Saheli's toll-free helpline at 1-877-281-8371 or the local helpline at 512-651-3743. Saheli’s services are free and confidential.


DOES YOUR PARTNER EVER:

  • Shove, slap, kick, or throw things at you?
  • Threaten to hurt you or others, have you deported, or take your children away?
  • Control where you go, what you do, and who you talk to?
  • Constantly criticize you, insult you, or make you feel like you are not good enough?
  • Make you have sex in ways or at times that are uncomfortable to you?
  • Keep you from seeing or talking to friends, or family?
  • Intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons?
  • Threaten to hurt their own body/mind if you don’t do what they want?
  • Deny you basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, or medical care?
  • Limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
  • Keep you from learning English?

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, you are not alone. You do not have to suffer in silence to be a good wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, or friend. There is help in your community. Call SAHELI's toll-free helpline at 1-877-281-8371 or the local helpline at 512-651-3743.