When Love Becomes Dangerous!

Domestic abuse is a serious issue. The Institute for Domestic Violence has published daunting statistics that suggest that a high number of women are involved in or have been involved in a domestic violence relationship:

• 85-95% of all domestic violence victims are female.
• Over 500,00 women are stalked by an intimate partner each year.
• 5.3 million women are abused each year.
• 1,232 women are killed each year by an intimate partner.
• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women.
• Women are more likely to be attacked by someone they know rather than by a stranger.

Domestic violence can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, often times the signs of domestic violence are overlooked or minimized, especially if the abuse is psychological rather than physical. According to the Institute for Domestic Violence there are signs that help women identify if they are in a domestic violence or abusive relationship:

• Seem afraid or anxious to please their partner.
• Go along with everything their partner says and does.
• Check in often with their partner to report where they are and what they’re doing.
• Receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner.
• Talk about their partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness. Keep reading...

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Warning signs of physical violence:

• People who are being physically abused may:
• Have frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents.”
• Frequently miss work, school, or social occasions, without explanation.
• Dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in the summer or sunglasses
• indoors).

Warning signs of isolation:

People who are being isolated by their abuser may:

• Be restricted from seeing family and friends.
• Rarely go out in public without their partner.
• Have limited access to money, credit cards, or the car.

Psychological Warning Signs:

People who are expericing psychological abuse from their partner may exhibit some of these signs:

• Have very low self-esteem, even if they used to be confident.
• Show major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing woman becomes withdrawn).
• Be depressed, anxious, or suicidal.

If you believe that you are in a domestic violence or abusive relationship, If you are ready to reach out for help, I can provide you support during this difficult time.  My office is located at 9171 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90210, (310) 281-6977.