Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in a dating or domestic relationship. This abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal or emotional, or a combination of these.

What Do I Need to Know?

Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse is any intentional, unwanted contact with your body by either the abuser or an object within the abuser’s control. Physical abuse does not have to leave a mark or bruise. It doesn’t even need to hurt.  It includes:

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse is any sexual behavior that is unwanted or interferes with your right to say “no” to sexual advances. It includes:

• Rape
• Unwanted kissing or touching
• Not letting you use birth control or protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Unwanted rough or violent sexual activity
• Forcing or pressuring you to go further than you want (even if you’ve had sex before)

Verbal/Emotional Abuse

Verbal/Emotional Abuse is anything that the abuser says or does that causes you to be afraid, lowers your self-esteem, or manipulates or controls your feelings or behavior.  It includes:

• Name-calling and put-downs
• Yelling and screaming
• Intentionally embarrassing you in front of other people
• Keeping you from seeing or talking with friends and family
• Telling you what to do
• Using online communities or cell phones to control, intimidate, or humiliate you
• Making you feel responsible for the abuse
• Stalking
• Threatening to commit suicide in order to manipulate you
• Threats of violence and harm to you or people you care about
• Threats to expose your secrets (such as sexual orientation or immigration status), start rumors, or to take away your children

What Can I Do?

If you or someone you know has experienced any of these behaviors in a relationship, that relationship may be abusive. Break the Cycle can help. Break the Cycle provides legal information, support and advocacy to young people, ages 12 to 24, and can help you learn about your options and legal rights. Our services are always free and confidential.