Sometimes it's hard to know if you really are at risk of violence in your relationship. You might be sure your partner would never hurt you, but that isn't actually a guarantee of your safety. If you are scared or worried about being hurt, then your situation is already serious.
You are at risk of serious harm if your partner:
- Threatens to hurt you, hurt your children or hurt them self if you don't do what they want
- Uses a weapon as a threat
- Has strangled or tried to strangle or choke you
- Is hitting you or using physical violence more and more
- Follows you everywhere you go and tries to control everything you do
- Has abused animals, especially family pets
- Uses lots of drugs or alcohol
- Has a history of violence against other people
- Is unpredictable and frightens you
- Says things like "I can't live without you" , "If I can't have the kids, no one can"
Some people are most at risk when they leave the relationship. If your partner is very jealous, or clingy or angry about you leaving, you may be at risk of being hurt. If you are thinking of leaving, or you are worried about your safety, or the safety of someone you care about, go to www.areyouok.org.nz for more information and help.