Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness

Signs of an Abusive Relationship and Domestic Violence

Relationship violence is the use of abusive behavior in order to have power and control in an intimate relationship. Relationship violence is sometimes called intimate partner violence or domestic violence. Within a relationship, violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, mental, verbal, spiritual, or any combination of the above.

Signs of an abusive relationship include being with someone who:

• wants to keep you away from your friends and family
• makes all the decisions
• gets angry over small things
• wants to control how you dress
• threatens to hurt you, your children, or him/herself when angry
• criticizes and name-calls—insults and humiliates you in front of others
• hits, shoves, throws objects, or uses other physically intimidating behavior
• forces sex or other use of physical force in sexual activity

If you are in an abusive relationship, you may feel embarrassed, ashamed, afraid, or even guilty. These feelings and many other conflicting emotions are common in such relationships. Violence can happen in long-term or newly-formed relationships. Relationship violence can occur regardless of socio-economic status, ethnicity, color, creed, sexual orientation, or age.

Persons who are in abusive relationships often feel overwhelmed and may benefit from having someone with whom to speak. The TN Tech Center for Counseling and Mental Health Wellness (931-372-3331) has trained counselors with whom you can talk about your concerns. Genesis House, Inc. (931-526-5197 or 800-707-5197) also provides counseling for individuals who are in violent or abusive relationships.