Domestic Violence

WARNING

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If you are afraid your internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a safer computer, call your local hotline, and/or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224.

What is Domestic Violence?

The CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) defines it as a pattern of abusive behavior in an intimate relationship where one partner tries to control and dominate the other. The behavior may be verbally, psychologically, physically or sexually abusive. Assaulting, threatening or stalking an intimate partner is a crime in the state of Connecticut and all crime victims have rights that are protected by law.


CCADV offers the following checklist to help determine if you are a victim of domestic violence.

  • Does your partner:
    • constantly criticize you and your abilities as a spouse or partner, parent or employee?
    • behave in an over-protective manner or become extremely jealous?
    • threaten to hurt you, your children, pets, family members, friends or himself?
    • prevent you from seeing family or friends?
    • get suddenly angry or “lose his temper”?
    • destroy personal property or throw things around?
    • deny you access to family assets like bank accounts, credit cards, or the car, or control all finances and force you to account for what you spend?
    • use intimidation or manipulation to control you or your children?
    • hit, punch, slap, kick, shove, choke or bite you?
    • prevent you from going where you want to, when you want to, and with whomever you want to?
    • make you have sex when you don’t want to or do things sexually that you don’t want to do
    • humiliate or embarrass you in front of other people?
  • Additional warning signs may include the following:
    • prevent you from attending work or school
    • threaten to hurt or kill your pets
    • take your money or refuse to give you money
    • threaten to kill you
    • threaten suicide

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship.

Who are the Victims of Domestic Violence?

Although men can be abused, domestic violence is primarily a crime against women, and women account for 85% of all victims. It affects people of all ages, races, cultures, countries and religions. You are not to blame and you are not alone – millions of women are abused by their partners every year. Help is available in Connecticut by calling 1-(888)-774-2900 or, outside of Connecticut, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−(800)−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−(800)−787−3224

Are you an Abuser?

The National Domestic Violence Hotline asks you to think about whether or not you are abusing someone else by examining these behaviors:


  • Calling bad names or putting someone down
  • Shouting and cursing
  • Hitting, slapping and/or pushing
  • Making threats of any kind
  • Jealously and suspicion
  • Keeping someone away from family and friends
  • Throwing things around the house



Go to http://www.ndvh.org/is-this-abuse/are-you-abusing-2/ for helpful information about what you can do if you, or someone you know, is abusing someone else or call 1−(800)−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−(800)−787−3224.

Services That Can Help

Family CT provides risk assessment, safety planning, crisis counseling and court accompaniment to victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, robbery, assault and hate and bias crimes. This is a partnership with the New Haven and East Haven Departments of Police Services, funded by the CT Office of Victim Services. Services are also available in West Haven and Hamden, CT For more information call the Neighborhood Victim Advocacy Program at (203) 789-1425 x0.


Domestic Violence Services (DVS) of Greater New Haven, a program of Birmingham Group Health Services, Inc. helps thousands of victims of domestic violence every year, in a wide variety of ways. All services are free and confidential. Call the DVS hotline at (203) – 789-8104 or the state-wide hotline at 1- (888) 774-2900.



Domestic Violence Services (DVS) of Greater New Haven (logo)
www.dvsgnh.org

CT Office of Victim Services
www.jud.ct.gov/crimevictim/


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