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The Domestic Violence Coalition of Greater Chattanooga, Inc.

If you are the subject of behaviors listed below on more than one occasion during your relationship, then you are a victim.

Abusive acts include:
slapping - shaking - punching - beating - biting - pulling hair - pushing - pinching - kicking - stabbing - tickling excessively - throwing objects - driving recklessly - denying medical care - using sexual names to put you down - forcing unwanted sexual acts.

You are abused if you have been:
  • accused unjustly of flirting or going out with another
  • threatened
  • humiliated in public
  • called ugly names
  • been isolated from your family and friends
  • locked out of the house
  • abandoned in dangerous places
  • manipulated with lies
  • had your property or pets destroyed
  • been continually criticized or had your feelings continually ignored
Even if only one or two incidents of physical abuse have occurred, there is cause for concern.

Studies show that if your partner abuses you on just two occasions, he is likely to continue to abuse you.

If you are unclear on whether you are abused, take the following quiz.
If you answer yes to just half of the following, you are a victim of abuse.

 Yes   No
 ___  ___ I am afraid of my partner.
 ___  ___ I cannot express my feelings or opinions without being afraid of the reaction.
 ___  ___ I have to ask permission from my partner to see my family or friends.
 ___  ___ I have to ask permission to spend money or buy something for myself.
 ___  ___ I constantly try to make things "just right" to please my partner.
 ___  ___ I try and try to please my partner, just to get criticized again.
 ___  ___ I sometimes feel that my partner is two people (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde).
 ___  ___ My partner seems to see our relationship in a whole different way than I see it. I am confused about the relationship.
 ___  ___ I am beginning to believe all the terrible things my partner says about me. I'm not sure what is real anymore. Maybe I am going crazy.

Adapted from INTO THE LIGHT: A GUIDE FOR BATTERED WOMEN
by Leslie A. Cantrell

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District Attorney General's Office Courts Building
600 Market Street, Suite 310
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (423) 209-7400
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