What is Abuse?
Domestic abuse is when a person in a relationship uses behaviors to control the other person. It can happen to people who are married or not married; heterosexual, gay, or lesbian; living together, separated, or dating. It can be between members of the same family such as husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend, parents/children, and any blood relatives. Domestic violence is physical violence, such as hitting and takes other forms, such as psychological, emotional, and/or sexual abuse.
There are many forms of violence that can be experienced in abusive relationships and what people often do not realize is that most of the violence is not necessarily physical. Individuals often use techniques such as intimidation, peer pressure, anger, threats, and isolation in order to control their partner. Often, individuals may not even realize what they are experiencing is abuse and simply dismiss the warning signs.
Domestic violence is a crime. It destroys relationships and families and passes from generation to generation. If you abuse, you can choose to stop. If you are being abused there is help to end the cycle of violence.
Help and Resources
Center Against Family Violence
http://www.cafv.org/
915-593-7300
El Paso Police Department
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/police/default.asp
915-832-4400
Texas Council on Family Violence
http://www.tcfv.org/
The Nationals Women Health Information Center
800-994-9662 TDD: 888-220-5446
http://www.womenshealth.gov/
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 1.800.787.3224 (TTY)
http://www.thehotline.org/
The National Abuse Dating Hotline
1-866-331-9474 | 1-866-331-8453 TTY
http://www.loveisrespect.org/
Love Good Bad Ugly (Teen Dating)
http://lovegoodbadugly.com/