Things You'll Need:
- Phone
-
Step 1
Stop making excuses for your spouse. Nothing he/she does or says to you justifies any form of abuse. Once in abuser, always an abuser. Protecting them will only put you in future danger.
-
Step 2
Remove yourself from any danger. Move out of the house immediately. If you can't afford a hotel or have no one to stay with, there are many shelters that take in victims of abuse. SafeHorizon.com will provide you with a list of shelters in your area.
-
Step 3
Contact the police and file a report with them. The police will help you file a restraining order so your abuser will not legally be able to come in contact with you. Contacting the police to report domestic abuse is a very common thing and you are not alone. Do not feel embarrassed, they deal with these situations daily and can assist you with the transition.
-
Step 4
Contact an agency that specializes in abuse counseling. Call 1-800-621-HOPE. They have experienced operators available 24 hours a day for you. Sometimes just having someone to talk to and guide you through this terrible experience can make all the difference. Wife abuse statistics these days are unbelievable. Stay safe and report any domestic abuse.
Comments
midcenturymaven said
on 8/19/2009 The topic of spousal abuse has recently come up in one of the groups I joined. I agree with your points that emotional abuse is just as serious as physical and that it's better dealt with immediately. Although a shelter does not sound like an ideal living situation to many victims, it provides at least a temporary solution, and a place for them to gather their thoughts.
EarthMother said
on 8/17/2009 It's important to know even if he's just your boyfriend to take these steps the first time it happens! No on has a right to hit anyone and everyone has a right to protect themselves. You can do better. Smile!