You Can Get Away From Abuse

When you hear the word abuse, you may think of hitting. But abuse can be other things too. Abuse is when a person hurts you in any way or makes you feel afraid. Abuse can even kill you.

A person who abuses might do these things:

• The person beats you or hurts your body.

• The person gets jealous and checks up on you.

• The person won't let you have friends.

• The person bosses you and does not listen to you.

• He or she tries to control what you do.

• The person scares you.

• The person says that he or she will kill you or hurt you or your family in some way.

• The person yells and says it is your fault.

• The person breaks things.

• The person makes you have sex in ways you do not like or makes you have sex when you do not want to.

Need help?

Abuse is against the law. If you or someone you know is being abused, here's how to get help:

• Call 911 if you are in danger. 
• Talk to someone you trust, like your minister or doctor. Ask that person to help you find a counselor.  
• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline® at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224. The hotline can tell you places to go where no one can find you, and it can help you make a plan to stay safe.
• Click onto any of these sites for more information:

                         -www.endabuse.org

                         - www.ndvh.org

                         - Keystone Mercy