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Safety planning when you are in a violent relationship, planning to leave, or after you have left a violent relationship is an important tool in keeping you safe. It is also extremely important not to underestimate the danger you may be in. Each year well over a thousand women are killed in domestic violence related homicides. Thousands and thousands more are seriously injured. If you fear your life is in danger, there is help. Contacting domestic violence service agencies can help give you ideas about how to stay safe, even if your abuser has found you before.
The following is a list of well-known domestic violence warning signs; please seriously consider your personal safety and reach out for help if you can answer yes to several items listed and you are afraid of your abuser.
- Has your abuser threatened to kill or injure you, your children, family or pets?
- Has your abuser “choked” (strangled) you?
- Has your abuser forced you to have sex?
- Has your abuser threatened you or injured you with a weapon?
- Does your abuser have access to guns?
- Does your abuser drink heavily or use “uppers” or amphetamines, speed, angel dust, cocaine, crack, heroine, Ecstasy, street drugs or mixtures?
- Are you pregnant or has your abuser assaulted you when you were pregnant?
- Do you have a child that is not your abuser’s?
- Has your abuser or you attempted or threatened suicide?
- Have you left your abuser within the last year or does he suspect you are planning to leave?
- Is your abuser unemployed?
- Is your abuser constantly and aggressively jealous?
- Does your abuser have a violent history?
- Has the violence escalated within the last year?
- Does your abuser control most of your daily activities?
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