Dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are not always easy to recognize. No survivor is ever to blame for being assaulted or abused. Below are some warning signs of potential abusive behavior:
- Being isolated from friends and family
- Watching what you say to avoid a “blow-up”
- Hiding bruises or injuries from family and friends
- Being afraid of your partner
- Being forced to do things that you don’t want to do
- Having your partner monitor where you go, what you do, and who you meet
- Having your partner demand to check your phone or email
Unhealthy relationships can escalate quickly. If you are not sure if you or someone you know is in an unhealthy situation, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence website has a brief online questionnaire to help identify unhealthy relationships, provides information on different types of abuse, and can direct you to local domestic violence programs throughout Pennsylvania.
These crimes can be traumatizing to survivors. Each person’s experience is unique and there are a wide range of emotions that a survivor may encounter. These emotions can change over time, and it may be helpful to address them with assistance of a counselor, a victim advocate, or a trusted friend or family member. Below are some ways these emotions may manifest themselves.
- Possible physical effects may include:
- Pain and soreness
- Injuries, nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Panic attacks
- Sleep pattern disturbances (insomnia/hypersomnia)
- Loss of appetite or change in eating habits (overeating or under-eating, etc.)
- Possible psychological and/or emotional effects may include:
- Impaired memory
- Shock, denial
- Irritability and anger
- Sadness and grief
- Social withdrawal
- Apathy (detachment, loss of caring)
- Hypervigilance (always on guard)
- Sleep disturbance (including nightmares)
- Flashbacks
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of trust in self or others
- Guilt, shame, or embarrassment
- Thoughts of suicide or death
- Diminished interest in activities
- Increased or decreased interest in sexual activity