Abuse in a relationship can happen to anyone however they are connected, and takes many forms.
If someone tries to control, hurt or force you to do things you don’t want to do, it’s abuse.
If you are unhappy or frightened about the way someone connected to you treats you, you don’t have to put up with it and there is help available.
Do they…
- Act in ways that scare you?
- Put you down or criticise you?
- Act in a jealous or possessive way?
- Try to control where you go, what you do and who you see? Do they control your finances?
- Blame you for the hurtful things they say or do?
- Try to force you to have sex?
- Hit, slap, push or kick you?
If you’ve answered yes to even one of these, you may be in an abusive relationship.
Help and support
- National domestic abuse helpline (24 hours) – 0808 2000 247
- National Victim Support - 0845 30 30 900
- STARS Dorset - 01202 308855
- The Shores Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - 0800 970 9954
- www.respect.uk.net Help for perpetrators, male victims and young people using violence in close relationships