Stay Safe In Your Relationship

Frequently people who are in abusive relationships do not recognize the nature of their situation. It's easy to look past abusive tendencies when you love someone, but it is simply not safe or fair to anyone involved.

No one deserves to be abused, yet many people are. Statistics show that 36-50 percent of American women will be in at least one abusive relationship during her life. Next time you are with your two friends, look around and realize that one --- if not 2 --- of you will be in an abusive relationship at some point, statistically speaking.

Fortunately, there is something you can do. Educate yourself on the signs and symptoms of abusive relationships and share this knowledge with your loved ones. Promise yourself never to accept abuse. You are worth more than that.

Signs
There are many signs to look out for in an abusive relationship. One of the principal indicators is the characteristic of jealousy. Now, most people get jealous or possessive on occasion --- sometimes it can even be seen as a sign of how much they care for you. But if your partner's jealousy is unfounded, persistent, or leads them to irrational and hurtful behaviors, you may want to re-evaluate.

Possessiveness and controlling behavior go along with jealousy, and are often the next step down the path to abuse. Watch out for partners who are very bossy and who expect you to heed their demands. Also, if your partner tries to isolate you by insisting that you cut off social contacts and friendships, pay attention. That is a clear warning sign!

Keep your eye out for other signs that your partner is abusive. Some of these include violent behavior (not necessarily against you), a short temper, drug or alcohol addiction, a history of bad relationships, and the tendency to pressure you to do things you are not comfortable with (sexual and otherwise). An abusive person is also likely to blame you for his or her emotional state, and to say that you deserve it when they hurt you.

Abuse
While the above signs are indicators that something is wrong, there are other behaviors that actually constitute abuse. If your partner abuses you, get out of the relationship. Nothing else matters -- your life is on the line. Abusive people get more abusive as time passes. A partner that hits you today could kill you tomorrow.

There are many different types of abuse. Physical abuse includes pushing, hitting, slapping, kicking, and cutting. Emotional abuse includes threats to hurt you or people you love, and constant criticism and belittlement. Sexual abuse includes when someone forces you to have sex or take part in sexual acts when you don’t want to. Just because you have sex sometimes doesn’t mean that your partner is entitled to have sex with you anytime he or she wants to.

If you feel that you might be in an abusive relationship, talk to someone immediately. Start with friends and family that you trust, and don't be afraid to see a counselor. There are also hotlines you can call such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233).